Metal-Organic Framework Carbon Capture

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of materials composed of metal ions or clusters linked by organic ligands, forming highly porous structures with large surface areas. This unique structure makes MOFs promising materials for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications.

The process of carbon capture involves the separation and capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial processes such as power generation, cement production, and other industrial activities. MOFs can be designed to selectively adsorb CO2 molecules from these industrial processes due to their high surface area and tunable pore sizes.

In particular, MOFs with open metal sites have been found to have exceptional CO2 adsorption properties. These open metal sites can strongly interact with CO2 molecules through electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and other chemical interactions, resulting in high CO2 uptake capacities.

Furthermore, MOFs can be modified and optimized to enhance their CO2 selectivity and stability, making them more effective and efficient for CCS applications. Researchers have also explored incorporating MOFs into membranes for gas separation and developing MOF-based composites for enhanced CO2 capture performance.

Overall, MOFs offer a promising solution for carbon capture and storage, and ongoing research is focused on further optimizing these materials for practical deployment in industrial settings.