Upcycling battery waste into Zn-BTC metal organic framework for dual applications in electrochemical sensing of uric acid and antibacterial applications

Abstract

This study reports the sustainable synthesis of a zinc-based metal–organic framework (Zn-BTC MOF) using zinc, extracted from waste dry cell batteries. A three-step route involving zinc recovery, hydroxide precipitation, and solvothermal coordination with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) led to the formation of crystalline Zn-BTC. Comprehensive characterization, utilizing techniques such as XRD, FTIR, Raman, FESEM, TEM, XPS, EDS, and TGA-DSC, confirmed the formation of a highly ordered Zn-BTC MOF framework structure with nanoscale morphology and thermal stability. Zn-BTC MOF exhibited promising electrochemical performance in detecting uric acid (UA), with a wide linear detection range (0–200 μM), low detection limit (1.43 μM), and high electroactive surface area (0.16 cm²). Additionally, the MOF showed significant antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 0.1 and 0.6 mg mL⁻¹ against Bacillus subtilis, and 0.2 and 0.8 mg mL⁻¹ against Escherichia coli. By fabricating the MOF using recycled zinc, this research highlights its dual potential as a high-performance electrochemical sensor and antibacterial agent.