Modulation of MIL-101(Cr) morphology and selective removal of dye from water

MIL-101(Cr) morphology was modulated by addition of sodium stearate (SS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the precursor solution. The resulting SS modulation MIL-101(Cr) (SS@MIL-0.1 and SS@MIL-0.2) are quasi-spherical, and the CTAB modulation MIL-101(Cr) (CTAB@MIL-0.2) has a regular octahedral shape, similar to the pure MIL-101(Cr). Their particles after modification are reduced, and the structures of MIL-101(Cr) crystals are not destroyed. These modifications improve their adsorption capacity for methyl orange (MO). The maximum adsorption capacity of MO on the CTAB@MIL-0.2 and SS@MIL-0.2 can reach 645.2 and 454.5 mg g −1 , respectively, superior to many adsorbents reported in the literatures. The CTAB@MIL-0.2 and SS@MIL-0.2 exhibit outstanding selective adsorption of MO from the mixed solution of MO and methylene blue (MB). Our work may provide a feasible method to obtain MIL-101(Cr) with different morphologies, especially quasi-spherical, and open up a new doorway for utilizing MIL-101(Cr).