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10.3390/molecules31193410
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

NMDG-Functionalized UiO-66 via PEI Bridging for Efficient Boron Adsorption in Salt Lake Brine

by
Min Guo
1,2,†,
Xunduo Wang
3,†,
Leiyang Zhao
3,
Yuping Xiao
1,*,
Jiaojiao Zhang
1,
Chengbing Ma
1,2,
Qin Shuai
3 and
Shengrui Xu
3,*
1
Qaidam Comprehensive Geological and Mineral Exploration Institute of Qinghai Province, Golmud 816099, China
2
Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources Exploration and Research in Qaidam Basin, Golmud 816099, China
3
Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Molecules 2026, 31(19), 3410; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193410
Submission received: 27 August 2026 / Revised: 21 September 2026 / Accepted: 22 September 2026 / Published: 24 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Materials for Gas Separation and Water Treatment)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Salt lake brines are a source of boron, but their complex ionic composition presents challenges for adsorption-based recovery. In this study, N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) was introduced into a PEI-containing UiO-66 composite through sequential post-synthetic modification. Structural and spectroscopic characterization supported the incorporation of the organic functional layer, while the characteristic UiO-66 diffraction peaks were retained. NMDG/PEI/UiO-66 showed higher boron uptake than the tested UiO-66 and PEI/UiO-66 controls. At 298 K, the highest experimentally observed capacity was 76.11 mg/g, whereas the Langmuir-fitted limiting capacity was 97.59 mg/g. The kinetic and equilibrium data were described by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively. The material retained approximately 86% of its initial adsorption capacity after three adsorption–desorption cycles and showed boron uptake in brines from Qarhan and Mami Cuo salt lakes. FTIR and XPS observations were consistent with the involvement of the functional layer in boron uptake. These results demonstrate the potential of the NMDG-containing UiO-66 composite for boron recovery under the investigated conditions.
Keywords: salt lake brine; N-methyl-D-glucamine; UiO-66; boron adsorption salt lake brine; N-methyl-D-glucamine; UiO-66; boron adsorption

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Guo, M.; Wang, X.; Zhao, L.; Xiao, Y.; Zhang, J.; Ma, C.; Shuai, Q.; Xu, S. NMDG-Functionalized UiO-66 via PEI Bridging for Efficient Boron Adsorption in Salt Lake Brine. Molecules 2026, 31, 3410. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193410

AMA Style

Guo M, Wang X, Zhao L, Xiao Y, Zhang J, Ma C, Shuai Q, Xu S. NMDG-Functionalized UiO-66 via PEI Bridging for Efficient Boron Adsorption in Salt Lake Brine. Molecules. 2026; 31(19):3410. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193410

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guo, Min, Xunduo Wang, Leiyang Zhao, Yuping Xiao, Jiaojiao Zhang, Chengbing Ma, Qin Shuai, and Shengrui Xu. 2026. "NMDG-Functionalized UiO-66 via PEI Bridging for Efficient Boron Adsorption in Salt Lake Brine" Molecules 31, no. 19: 3410. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193410

APA Style

Guo, M., Wang, X., Zhao, L., Xiao, Y., Zhang, J., Ma, C., Shuai, Q., & Xu, S. (2026). NMDG-Functionalized UiO-66 via PEI Bridging for Efficient Boron Adsorption in Salt Lake Brine. Molecules, 31(19), 3410. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193410

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