Synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Carbon Capture

Abstract

Current issues at the forefront of environmental concern include problems relating to increased levels of the greenhouse gas CO2 in the atmosphere. Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have reached a historic high and for this reason, researchers have placed much focus on carbon capture and sequestration. Metal-organic frameworks have been studied as a potential solution to this problem. MOFs are a class of highly porous, crystalline material composed of metal nodes and organic linkers that can be engineered to demonstrate carbon capture abilities. One method of designing MOFs with carbon capture ability is the inclusion of Lewis basic groups such as imidazole into the linkers. This work explores the synthesis of MOFs utilizing various linkers containing imidazole to create systems capable of selective absorption of CO2 at low pressures. Various solvent systems and inclusion of modulating reagents will be explored as new MOF systems are tested.