Carbon Dioxide Capture and Conversion Using Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Materials: A Comprehensive Review

The escalating threat of anthropogenic climate change has spurred an urgent quest for innovative CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) technologies. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as prominent candidates in CO2 capture and conversion due to their large specific surface area, well-defined porous structure, and tunable chemical properties. This review unveils the latest advancements in MOF-based materials specifically designed for superior CO2 adsorption, precise separation, advanced photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, progressive CO2 hydrogenation, and dual functionalities. We explore the strategies that enhance MOF efficiency and examine the challenges of and opportunities afforded by transitioning from laboratory research to industrial application. Looking ahead, this review offers a visionary perspective on harnessing MOFs for the sustainable capture and conversion of CO2.

Optimized Pore Nanospace through the Construction of a Cagelike Metal-Organic Framework for CO2/N2 Separation

The development of metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbents with a potential molecule sieving effect for CO₂ capture and separation from flue gas is of critical importance for reducing the CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere yet challenging. Herein, a cagelike MOF with a suitable cage window size falling between CO₂ and N₂ and the cavity has been constructed to evaluate its CO₂/N₂ separation performance. It is noteworthy that the introduction of coordinated dimethylamine (DMA) and N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules not only significantly reduces the cage window size but also enhances the framework-CO₂ interaction via C-H···O hydrogen bonds, as proven by molecular modeling, thus leading to an improved CO₂ separation performance. Moreover, transient breakthrough experiments corroborate the efficient CO₂/N₂ separation, revealing that the introduction of DMA and DMF molecules plays a vital role in the separation of a CO₂/N₂ gas mixture.

Adsorption of Sulfur Dioxide in Cu(II)-Carboxylate Framework Materials: The Role of Ligand Functionalization and Open Metal Sites

The development of efficient sorbent materials for sulfur dioxide (SO2) is of key industrial interest. However, due to the corrosive nature of SO2, conventional porous materials often exhibit poor reversibility and limited uptake toward SO2 sorption. Here, we report high adsorption of SO2 in a series of Cu(II)-carboxylate-based metal-organic framework materials. We describe the impact of ligand functionalization and open metal sites on the uptake and reversibility of SO2 adsorption. Specifically, MFM-101 and MFM-190(F) show fully reversible SO2 adsorption with remarkable capacities of 18.7 and 18.3 mmol g-1, respectively, at 298 K and 1 bar; the former represents the highest reversible uptake of SO2 under ambient conditions among all porous solids reported to date. In situ neutron powder diffraction and synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy enable the direct visualization of binding domains of adsorbed SO2 molecules as well as host-guest binding dynamics. We have found that the combination of open Cu(II) sites and ligand functionalization, together with the size and geometry of metal-ligand cages, plays an integral role in the enhancement of SO2 binding.

Constructing a 3D-layered energetic metal–organic framework with the strong stacking interactions of hydrogen-bridged rings: the way to an insensitive high energy complex

Constructing 3D-layered EMOFs with strong stacking interactions of hydrogen-bridged rings to enhance their packing efficiency and energetic performances.