Sorption, Transport and Gas Separation Properties of Zn-Based Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their Application in CO₂ Capture

Adsorption, separation and conversion of CO₂ from industrial processes are among the priorities of the scientific community aimed at mitigating the effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. One of the main focuses is the capture of CO₂ at stationary point sources from fossil fuel emissions using porous crystalline materials. Porous crystalline materials can reduce the energy costs associated with CO₂ capture by offering high adsorption rates, low material regeneration energy penalties and favorable kinetic pathways for CO₂ separation. MOFs consist of polymeric inorganic networks with adjustable chemical functionality and well-defined pores that make them ideal for these applications. The objective of this research was to test the potential for CO₂ capture on Zn-based MOFs by studying their sorption, transport and gas separation properties as adsorbents and continuous membranes.

Three Zn-based MOFs with open Zn-metal sites were initially studied. Zn4(pdc)4(DMF)2•3DMF (1) exhibited the best properties for CO₂ capture and was investigated further under realistic CO₂ capture conditions. The MOF exhibited preferential CO₂ adsorption based on a high enthalpy of adsorption and selectivity of CO₂ over N₂ and CH₄. Sorption dynamics of CO₂ indicated fast adsorption and a low activation energy for sorption. Diffusion inside the pores is the rate-limiting step for diffusion, and changes in the process temperature can enhance CO₂ separation. Desorption kinetics indicated that CO₂ has longer residence times and lower activation energies for desorption than N₂ and CH₄. This suggests that the selective adsorption of CO₂ is favored.

MOF/Polymer membranes were synthesized via a solvothermal method with structural defects sealed by a polymer coating. This method facilitates the permeation measurements of materials that cannot form uniform-defect-free layers. The membrane permeation of CO₂, CH₄, N₂ and H₂ exhibited a linear relation to the inverse square root of the molecular weight of the permanent gases, indicating that diffusion occurs in the Knudsen regime. Permselectivity was well-predicted by the Knudsen model with no temperature dependence, and transport occurs inside the pores of the membrane. MOF (1) exhibits ideal properties for future applications in CO₂ capture as an adsorbent.