Zr-MOF-Derived Zirconium Oxide Nanozyme and Its Hydrogel Composite Membrane for Organophosphate Detoxification

Organophosphorus nerve agents are among the most hazardous chemical warfare agents, posing serious risks to human health. Developing efficient catalysts and composite materials for their detoxification remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present the first example of zirconium oxide (ZrO_x) nanozyme derived from a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF), which exhibits outstanding catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of a nerve agent simulant, dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP). Moreover, ZrO_x was incorporated into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) as a base, forming a hydrogel composite membrane, named ZrO_x@PD. Notably, ZrOx@PD demonstrates superior catalytic efficiency for the solid-phase hydrolysis of DMNP under ambient conditions, outperforming many previously reported catalytic materials and highlighting its potential as a protective material against nerve agents.