LAUSR

Composites based on Chitin (CH) biopolymer and Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) microporous nanoparticles have been developed as broad scope pollutant absorbent. Detail characterization of the CH/MOF composites reveals that the MOF nanoparticles interact through electrostatic forces with the CH matrix inducing the CH´s macro-pores compartmentalization that lead to an overall surface area increase in the composites. This creates a micro-, meso- and macro-porous structure that efficiently retains pollutants with a broad spectrum of different chemical natures, charges and sizes. The unique prospect of our approach is the combination of the chemical diversity of MOFs with the simple processability and biocompatibility of the CH that opens application fields beyond water remediation.