MUF-16: A Robust Metal–Organic Framework for Pre- and Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Capture

One of the most critical environmental issues of our age is the escalating release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Separation technologies with low energy footprints may be an effective way to capture CO2 and prevent its accumulation. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can meet separation challenges due to their tailored structures and tunable pore surfaces. However, obstacles to their deployment can include the energy consumed by regeneration, a lack of long-term structural stability, and their production on large scales. Herein, we report on MUF-16 ([Co(Haip)2], H2aip = 5-aminoisophthalic acid), a hydrogen-bonded water-stable microporous material that combines high CO2 adsorption with a low affinity for other gases. MUF-16 is built up from inexpensive starting reagents in a scalable process. It can be easily regenerated at room temperature by purging with inert gas, and it maintains its performance over multiple adsorption/desorption cycles. MUF-16 features one-dimensional channels that trap CO2 guest molecules by a raft of attractive electrostatic interactions and size complementarity. It rejects H2 and N2 molecules around room temperature. This was verified by simulated and experimental breakthrough separation measurements on CO2/N2 and CO2/H2 mixtures. MUF-16 can be pelletized by coating with polymeric poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) to render it compatible with large-scale applications.