Scalable continuous solvothermal synthesis of metal organic framework (MOF-5) crystals

 

Scalable continuous solvothermal synthesis of metal organic framework (MOF-5) crystals. Advances in Engineering

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New nanomaterials are being invented constantly. Their syntheses require strict uniformed conditions and often complex protocols which forms a critical barrier to translate these discoveries into economical and reproducible manufacturing. Hence the true potential of advanced functional nanomaterials has not been fully realised. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as one of the key nanomaterials of interest over the last decade, which exhibit very large internal surface areas, resulting in a number of applications such as gas storage and separation, heterogeneous catalysis and even for use as medical devices. Due to complex syntheses and cost of solvent/reagents, metal organic framework have predominantly remained at the lab-scale. By investigating the reaction pathways of metal organic framework (MOF) formation, a team of chemical engineers and chemists has developed a scalable process for continuous manufacturing of metal organic framework. The process produces high quality metal organic framework under conditions that can potentially lead to viable industrial manufacturing.

Journal Reference

Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 285,  2016, Pages 718–725.

Colin McKinstry1,2, Russell J. Cathcart1, Edmund J. Cussen2, Ashleigh J. Fletcher1, Siddharth V. Patwardhan1, Jan Sefcik1

[expand title=”Show Affiliations”]
  1. Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK
  2. WESTCHEM, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK [/expand]

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are well suited as nanoporous materials for applications such as gas storage, catalysis and in medical devices. Literature predominantly covers information on the batch synthesis of MOF-5, however, for an industrially viable product to be formed, bridging the gap to scalable continuous processing is essential. Here, we show that crystals of MOF-5 can be formed in a scalable solvothermal continuous process with a maximum space time yield of nearly 1000 kg m−3 day−1. Analysis of the solid output as a function of time, in conjunction with variation of concentration of the feed supply, shows high purity MOF-5 is produced using a continuous system, with potentially high throughput on scale up. We also show that the output can be increased by increasing the concentration of reactants in the system, albeit resulting in a reduced surface area. The two most common solvents currently used for MOF-5 production are also compared to identify a more economically viable process.

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