High throughput computational screening and interpretable machine learning for iodine capture of metal-organic frameworks

Abstract The removal of leaked radioactive iodine isotopes in humid air environments holds significant importance in nuclear waste management and nuclear accident mitigation. In this study, high-throughput computational screening and machine learning were combined to reveal the iodine capture performance of 1816 metal-organic framework (MOF) materials under humid air conditions. Initially, the relationship between the structural characteristics of MOF materials (including density, surface area and pore features) and their adsorption properties was explored, with the aim of identifying the optimal structural parameters for iodine capture. Subsequently, two machine learning regression algorithms—Random Forest and CatBoost, were employed to predict the iodine adsorption capabilities of MOF materials. In addition to 6 structural features, 25 molecular features (encompassing the types of metal and ligand atoms as well as bonding modes) and 8 chemical features (including heat of adsorption and Henry’s coefficient) were incorporated to enhance the prediction accuracy of the machine learning algorithms. Feature importance was assessed to determine the relative influence of various features on iodine adsorption performance, in which the Henry’s coefficient and heat of adsorption to iodine were found the two most crucial chemical factors. Furthermore, four types of molecular fingerprints were introduced for providing comprehensive and detailed structural information of MOF materials. The 20 most significant Molecular ACCess Systems (MACCS) bits were picked out, revealing that the presence of six-membered ring structures and nitrogen atoms in the MOF framework were the key structural factors that enhanced iodine adsorption, followed by the presence of oxygen atoms. This work combined high-throughput computation, machine learning, and molecular fingerprints to comprehensively and systematically elucidate the multifaceted factors governing the iodine adsorption performance of MOFs in humid environments, establishing a robust and profound guideline framework for accelerating the screening and targeted design of high-performance MOF materials.