Synthesis and characterization of Cu₂O@Cu/Al-CLDH for efficient adsorption of iodide anions in aqueous solutions

A HKUST-1 derivative composite based on LDH was synthesized to efficiently adsorb iodide anions in aqueous solutions. Specifically, Cu/Al-LDH, HKUST-1, HKUST-1@Cu/Al-LDH, Cu/Al-CLDH, Cu-C and Cu2O@Cu/Al-CLDH were synthesized and characterized. HKUST-1@Cu/Al-LDH kept the desirable characteristics of both Cu/Al-LDH and HKUST-1. Cu2O@Cu/Al-CLDH maintained the morphology of HKUST-1@Cu/Al-LDH, with its iodine anions absorption mechanism being chemical adsorption. Cu2O@Cu/Al-CLDH exhibited a significantly higher adsorption capacity than previously reported Cu-based adsorbents, with an adsorption capacity of 240.7 mg g(-1) at pH 3, taking about 240 min to reach adsorption equilibrium. Thus, Cu2O@Cu/Al-CLDH is a promising adsorbent for removing iodide anions from aqueous solutions.