The Process of CO2 Capture and Reduction: Exploring the Efficacy of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs)

Abstract

Climate change, driven by elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, is recognized as a persistent and significant issue of the 21st century. Consequently, the creation of effective and suitable methods to decrease atmospheric CO2 emissions is urgently and critically needed. Various techniques, including membrane separation, chemical absorption, and adsorption, are currently employed to capture CO2. In particular, processes based on physisorption are noted for their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, making the choice of an effective adsorbent essential. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are porous structures formed from metal ions and organic linkers, have emerged as promising and adaptable solutions for advanced CO2 capture initiatives. These materials hold potential for application across a broad spectrum of domains, including gas adsorption and separation, catalysis, electron luminescence, magnetism, as well as in drug delivery and the health sciences. So far, MOFs have mainly been developed as promising materials for CO2 adsorption due to their large capacity for adsorption of gases and easy tailor ability of their structures, and metal sites. In this study, the fabrication of specific devise for controlling environmental remediation of CO2 through CCS techniques has been described also highlighting their potential utility for CO2 adsorption purposes. First of all, the synthesis of HKUST-1, a solid belonging to the class of copper-based MOF has been described and in particular ([Cu3(btc)2(H2O)3]-H2O), directly deposited on ceramic foam. A characterisation of the samples obtained under different synthetic conditions through X ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, porosimetry and electron scanning microscopy (SEM) has been shown. Ultimately, the degree of MOF coating on the supports was assessed, and their ability to adsorb CO2 was examined through experimental trials that tested the capture process under precise temperature and pressure conditions using a 10 mol% mixture of air and CO2. A fixed bed system, structured with coated foams, exhibited a CO2 capture capability of 0.40 mmol/gMOF, minimal pressure drops, and low temperatures for reactivation, all critical requirements for industrial applications.