< Back to previous page

Project

Understanding flexibility in responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (MOFFLex)

Adsorption-based separation is a key step to obtain high-purity compounds in the chemical industry. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising group of porous adsorbents characterised by their high adsorption capacity. Unlike in most all-inorganic adsorbents, structural flexibility has been observed in certain MOFs. Most research has been devoted to exploring and understanding the structural changes in extremely flexible structures that display very large changes in their unit cells. Despite this focus on a small subset of very flexible materials, almost all MOFs are flexible to some degree. As a result, the adsorption of molecules larger than the crystallographic pore window is commonly observed. Despite its obvious relevance, flexibility is understudied in most MOFs, and its effect in adsorption and separation remains unknown.

MOFFlex aims to observe and understand adsorption-induced flexibility in different classes of MOFs that thus far remain understudied in this context. In addition, the effect of the MOF particle size and the presence of polymer binders on the framework flexibility will be systematically analysed. To this end, MOFFLex will combine an extensive toolbox of diffraction and spectroscopic in-situ techniques (both in the lab and at synchrotron facilities), in-depth structural characterisation, and the controlled synthesis of MOF particles and composites. A series of aliphatic alcohols will be used as probe molecules with practical relevance.
 

Date:1 Oct 2022 →  Today
Keywords:Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs, Adsorption, Flexibility
Disciplines:Physical chemistry of materials, Synthesis of materials, Hybrid composites, Materials synthesis, Functional materials