Synthesis, characterization and gas adsorption analysis of solvent dependent Zn-BTC metal organic frameworks

ABSTRACT

Multidentate 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid copolymerizes with Zinc to form framework with rigid porosity for gas adsorption application. One of the barriers in commercialization of these MOFs for gas adsorption application is the usage of costly solvents and this research is based on identifying the effect of solvents on zinc and 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid-based MOFs, their gas adsorption capacities and costs. All the MOFs prepared were characterized and further tested for carbon dioxide adsorption capacities. The results highlight that the textural properties of prepared MOFs depend largely on solvents utilized and high surface area MOFs have high adsorption capacity. Also the carbon dioxide adsorption capacity of MOFs prepared using DMF showed better adsorption as compared with the one prepared with Ethanol:De-ionized water. This research also elaborates the fact that there is a possibility of replacing the expensive solvents for Zn-BTCs synthesis with low-cost solvents without compromising the gas adsorption performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Zn-BTC MOF
• CO₂ adsorption
• solvent effect

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to offer sincere gratitude to U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advance Studies in Energy, NUST and USAID for providing financial aid to complete this research.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.