Selenium Functionalized Metal–Organic Framework MIL-101 for Efficient and Permanent Sequestration of Mercury

Abatement of mercury emission from coal-fired power plants remains a serious task for public health and environmental societies. Selenium functionalized metal–organic framework MIL-101 (Se/MIL-101) was prepared for mercury removal from power plants. The Se/MIL-101 exhibited a remarkable mercury adsorption capacity of 148.19 mg·g^–1, which was about 154 to 705 times larger than that of commercial activated carbons exclusively applied for mercury removal from power plants. The initial mercury adsorption rate for Se/MIL-101 reached up to 44.8 μg·g^–1·min^–1, which was 89- to 1659-fold higher than those of mercury sorbents reported in the literature. The Se/MIL-101 maintained an excellent mercury adsorption stability under simulated flue gas atmosphere containing SO₂, NO, and H₂O. Gaseous elemental mercury (Hg⁰) converted on the Se/MIL-101 to stable and water-insoluble mercury selenide (HgSe), which guaranteed a minimum re-emission even sequestration of mercury. Moreover, the mercury-laden Se/MIL-101 could also immobilize mercury in gypsum and efficiently capture mercury ions from desulfurization effluent to an undetectable level (<0.0035 μg·L^–1). With these advantages, Se/MIL-101 appears to be a promising material for efficient and permanent sequestration of mercury from power plants.