ZIF-8/PAA16 multifunctional composites: Preparation and investigation of phase change behavior and adsorption behavior

A novel strategy based on Metal-organic frameworks nanoparticles (MOFs NPs)-stabilized suspension polymerization has been achieved for the preparation of multifunctional MOFs/polymers composites. By using this technique, functional nanoparticles can be immobilized on the surface of polymer to significantly modify their properties. In this paper, ZIF-8 nanoparticles (NPs) are used as stabilizer for the suspension polymerization of hexadecyl acrylate (AA16) in water and ZIF-8/PAA16 composites are successfully synthesized. The thermodynamics characterizations of ZIF-8/PAA16 were systematically investigated by combining differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), suggesting good phase change behavior and excellent thermal stability of the products. Thanks to the adsorption property of MOFs nanoparticles, the products behave the performance of removing Rhodamine B (RhB) from water. This method using functional MOF NPs as stabilizer will open up a new route to the preparation of a wide range of multifunction polymers.