Metal–Organic Frameworks Grafted by Univariate and Multivariate Heterocycles for Enhancing CO2 Capture: A Molecular Simulation Study

Tailoring Metal-Organic Frameworks for One-Step Separation of Alkane/Alkene/Alkyne Mixtures

The purification of polymer-grade olefins (>99.9 %), primarily C2 and C3, is a significant yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. The conventional method for hydrocarbon separation typically involves heat-driven distillation. In contrast, adsorptive separation using porous solids presents a promising alternative, offering the potential for olefin purification under ambient conditions, thus providing substantial energy and environmental benefits. Particularly, one-step purification of alkenes through the selective adsorption of their corresponding alkanes and alkynes has gained attention as an effective approach. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with their tunable pore structures, such as pore size, shape, and internal chemical environment, hold considerable potential for this process. This review discusses recent advancements in the development of MOFs for the one-step adsorptive purification of alkenes from ternary mixtures of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, with a focus on the rational design of pore structures to achieve the desired separation.

A review on titanium oxide nanoparticles modified metal-organic frameworks for effective CO2 conversion and efficient wastewater remediation

Environmental pollution has been increasing since last decade due to increasing industrialisation and urbanisation. Various kinds ofenvironmental pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), dyes, pharmaceuticals, phenols, heavy metals along with many organic and inorganic species have been discovered in the various environmental compartments which possess harmful impacts tox human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Thus, various efforts have been made through regulations, technological advancements, and public awareness campaigns to reduce the impact of the pollution. However, finding suitable alternatives to mitigate their impacts remained a challenge. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the advanced materials with unique features such as high porosity and stability which exhibit versatile applications in environmental remediation. Their composites with titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2) have been discovered to offer potential feature such as light harvesting capacity and catalytic activity. The composite integration and properties have been confirmed through characterization using surface area analysis, scanning electron/transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and others. Thus, this work rigorously discussed potential applications of the MOF@TiO2 nanomaterials for the CO2 capture and effective utilization in methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetaldehyde, and other useful products that served as fuel to various industrial processes. Additionally, the work highlights the effective performance of the materials towards photocatalytic degradation of both organic and inorganic pollutants with indepth mechanistic insights. The article will offer significant contribution for the development of sustainable and efficient technologies for the environmental monitoring and pollution mitigation.

Tuning Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Affinity of Zinc(II) MOFs by Mixing Bis(pyrazolate) Ligands with N-Containing Tags

The four zinc(II) mixed-ligand metal-organic frameworks (MIXMOFs) Zn(BPZ)_x(BPZNO₂)_1-x, Zn(BPZ)_x(BPZNH₂)_1-x, Zn(BPZNO₂)_x(BPZNH₂)_1-x, and Zn(BPZ)_x(BPZNO₂)_y(BPZNH₂)_1-x-y (H₂BPZ = 4,4'-bipyrazole; H₂BPZNO₂ = 3-nitro-4,4'-bipyrazole; H₂BPZNH₂ = 3-amino-4,4'-bipyrazole) were prepared through solvothermal routes and fully investigated in the solid state. Isoreticular to the end members Zn(BPZ) and Zn(BPZX) (X = NO₂, NH₂), they are the first examples ever reported of (pyr)azolate MIXMOFs. Their crystal structure is characterized by a three-dimensional open framework with one-dimensional square or rhombic channels decorated by the functional groups. Accurate information about ligand stoichiometric ratio was determined (for the first time on MIXMOFs) through integration of selected ligands skeleton resonances from ¹³C cross polarized magic angle spinning solid-state NMR spectra collected on the as-synthesized materials. Like other poly(pyrazolate) MOFs, the four MIXMOFs are thermally stable, with decomposition temperatures between 708 and 726 K. As disclosed by N₂ adsorption at 77 K, they are micro-mesoporous materials with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface areas in the range 400-600 m²/g. A comparative study (involving also the single-ligand analogues) of CO₂ adsorption capacity, CO₂ isosteric heat of adsorption (Q_st), and CO₂/N₂ selectivity in equimolar mixtures at p = 1 bar and T = 298 K cast light on interesting trends, depending on ligand tag nature or ligand stoichiometric ratio. In particular, the amino-decorated compounds show higher Q_st values and CO₂/N₂ selectivity vs the nitro-functionalized analogues; in addition, tag "dilution" [upon passing from Zn(BPZX) to Zn(BPZ)_x(BPZX)_1-x] increases CO₂ adsorption selectivity over N₂. The simultaneous presence of amino and nitro groups is not beneficial for CO₂ uptake. Among the compounds studied, the best compromise among uptake capacity, Q_st, and CO₂/N₂ selectivity is represented by Zn(BPZ)_x(BPZNH₂)_1-x.