Researchers from South Ural State University (SUSU), together with a Moscow colleague, have for the first time synthesized two new metal-organic frameworks based on barium and yttrium. These structures act as a nanosieve, selectively capturing molecules containing chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The work was carried out with the support of a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.

Metal-organic frameworks are materials with a nanoporous structure, where each cell is mathematically described. In the obtained samples, ions form stable halogen bonds that hold pollutant molecules. When heated, the bond breaks, making the process reversible and controllable. The material can be used for gas, oil, and water purification.

In oil production, the development solves the problem of corrosion in tanks and pipes. The framework can capture hydrochloric acid molecules before the start of the technological cycle and can also be used to purify water from chlorine, which makes it promising for environmental projects.

The university noted that the nanoseives were not only modeled but also grown in the laboratory and then tested at the Kurchatov Institute. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed the structural accuracy and stability. According to the scientists, the ability to regulate the properties of nanoseives opens the way for creating materials for specific tasks in various industries.