MIL-160 as an Adsorbent for Atmospheric Water Harvesting

Isoreticular Curves: A Theory of Capillary Condensation To Model Water Sorption within Microporous Sorbents

Metal-organic frameworks have gained traction as leading materials for water sorption applications due to precise chemical tunability of their well-ordered pores. These applications include atmospheric water capture, heat pumps, desiccation, desalination, humidity control, and thermal batteries. However, the relationships between the framework pore structure and the measurable water sorption properties, namely critical relative humidity for condensation, maximal capacity, and pore size or temperature for the onset of hysteresis, have not been clearly delineated. Herein, we precisely formulate these relationships by application of the theory of capillary condensation and macroscopic thermodynamic models to a large data set of MOF water isotherms. These relationships include a concept termed isoreticular curves that relates the critical pressure for pore condensation (α), gravimetric capacity (Qmax), and hydrophilicity (the Gibbs free energy for binding water, ΔG) as Qmax = a1(ΔG/ln α)2 + a2(ΔG/ln α), with constants a1 and a2 dependent upon the density and volume occupied by the linker and secondary building unit, and framework topology. Through this analysis, we propose guidelines for the maximization of sorption capacity at a given relative humidity with minimal hysteresis and discuss the theoretical limits for capacity at low relative humidity. This model provides an explanation for the lack of high-capacity frameworks at low relative humidity, as increasing pore size also causes an increase in relative humidity. We propose a loose upper bound of Qmax = -0.25(1/ln α)2 - 1.75(1/ln α) for the limit of maximal capacity at a given relative humidity in the dry regime. These guidelines are consequential for the design of new materials for water sorption applications.

Progress and perspectives of sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting for sustainable water generation: Materials, devices, and systems

Establishing alternative methods for freshwater production is imperative to effectively alleviate global water scarcity, particularly in land-locked arid regions. In this context, extracting water from the ubiquitous atmospheric moisture is an ingenious strategy for decentralized freshwater production. Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) shows strong potential for supplying liquid water in a portable and sustainable way even in desert environments. Herein, the latest progress in SAWH technology in terms of materials, devices, and systems is reviewed. Recent advances in sorbent materials with improved water uptake capacity and accelerated sorption-desorption kinetics, including physical sorbents, polymeric hydrogels, composite sorbents, and ionic solutions, are discussed. The thermal designs of SAWH devices for improving energy utilization efficiency, heat transfer, and mass transport are evaluated, and the development of representative SAWH prototypes is clarified in a chronological order. Thereafter, state-of-the-art operation patterns of SAWH systems, incorporating intermittent, daytime continuous and 24-hour continuous patterns, are examined. Furthermore, current challenges and future research goals of this cutting-edge field are outlined. This review highlights the irreplaceable role of heat and mass transfer enhancement and facile structural improvement for constructing high-yield water harvesters.

When Polymorphism in Metal-Organic Frameworks Enables Water Sorption Profile Tunability for Enhancing Heat Allocation and Water Harvesting Performance

The development of thermally driven water-sorption-based technologies relies on high-performing water vapor adsorbents. Here, polymorphism in Al-metal-organic frameworks is disclosed as a new strategy to tune the hydrophilicity of MOFs. This involves the formation of MOFs built from chains of either trans- or cis- µ-OH-connected corner-sharing AlO4(OH)2 octahedra. Specifically, [Al(OH)(muc)] or MIP-211, is made of trans, trans-muconate linkers, and cis-µ-OH-connected corner-sharing AlO4(OH)2 octahedra giving a 3D network with sinusoidal channels. The polymorph MIL-53-muc has a tiny change in the chain structure that results in a shift of the step position of the water isotherm from P/P0 ≈ 0.5 in MIL-53-muc, to P/P0 ≈ 0.3 in MIP-211. Solid-state NMR and Grand Canonical Monte Carlo reveal that the adsorption occurs initially between two hydroxyl groups of the chains, favored by the cis-positioning in MIP-211, resulting in a more hydrophilic behavior. Finally, theoretical evaluations show that MIP-211 would allow achieving a coefficient of performance for cooling (COPc) of 0.63 with an ultralow driving temperature of 60 °C, outperforming benchmark sorbents for small temperature lifts. Combined with its high stability, easy regeneration, huge water uptake capacity, green synthesis, MIP-211 is among the best adsorbents for adsorption-driven air conditioning and water harvesting from the air.

Efficient capture and storage of ammonia in robust aluminium-based metal-organic frameworks

The development of stable sorbent materials to deliver reversible adsorption of ammonia (NH₃) is a challenging task. Here, we report the efficient capture and storage of NH₃ in a series of robust microporous aluminium-based metal-organic framework materials, namely MIL-160, CAU-10-H, Al-fum, and MIL-53(Al). In particular, MIL-160 shows high uptakes of NH₃ of 4.8 and 12.8 mmol g^-1 at both low and high pressure (0.001 and 1.0 bar, respectively) at 298 K. The combination of in situ neutron powder diffraction, synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals the preferred adsorption domains of NH₃ molecules in MIL-160, with H/D site-exchange between the host and guest and an unusual distortion of the local structure of [AlO₆] moieties being observed. Dynamic breakthrough experiments confirm the excellent ability of MIL-160 to capture of NH₃ with a dynamic uptake of 4.2 mmol g^-1 at 1000 ppm. The combination of high porosity, pore aperture size and multiple binding sites promotes the significant binding affinity and capacity for NH₃, which makes it a promising candidate for practical applications.

Relative capability demonstration of luminescent Al-MOFs for ideal detection of nitroaromatic explosives

Here, we have synthesised three luminescent Al MOFs i.e., Al-NTP, Al-FDA, and Al-TDA, using common metal ions (AlCl₃·6H₂O) with different carboxylic acid organic linkers (5-nitroisophthalic acid, 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid, and 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid) in a semi-aqueous medium. The structural analysis of Al-MOFs has been confirmed through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy. Afterward, the optical properties of all three Al-MOFs were confirmed using photoluminescence spectroscopy and demonstrated for the detection of nitroaromatic explosives. We have observed host-guest interaction through a quenching mechanism. Among the three synthesised Al-MOFs, Al-NTP MOF exhibit 0.014 ppm lowest limit of detection in chloroform at room temperature. Our comparative study results reveal that the selection of the organic linker and solvent plays a critical role in MOF based sensing applications.

Diverse Applications of Biomass-Derived 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Derivatives as Renewable Starting Materials

This Review summarizes recent efforts to capitalize on 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and related furans as emerging building blocks for the synthesis of fine chemicals and materials, with a focus on advanced applications within medicinal and polymer chemistry, as well as nanomaterials. As with all chemical industries, these fields have historically relied heavily on petroleum-derived starting materials, an unsustainable and polluting feedstock. Encouragingly, the emergent chemical versatility of biomass-derived furans has been shown to facilitate derivatization towards valuable targets. Continued work on the synthetic manipulation of HMF, and related derivatives, for access to a wide range of target compounds and materials is crucial for further development. Increasingly, biomass-derived furans are being utilized for a wide range of chemical applications, the continuation of which is paramount to accelerate the paradigm shift towards a sustainable chemical industry.

Adsorption Desalination and Cooling Systems: Advances in Design, Modeling and Performance

The increase in energy efficiency, reducing energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions and the use of waste, renewable and recycled heat from low-temperature sources are significant challenges today and are key parts of the idea of the 4th Generation District Heating (4GDH) [...]