A graphic depiction of a MOF structure.
NORTHERN IRELAND, UK: Chemists at Queen’s University Belfast have devised a novel, environmentally friendly technique, which allows the rapid production of metal-organic frameworks porous materials (MOFs). These revolutionary nanomaterials have the potential to transform hazardous gas storage, natural gas vehicles and drug delivery and have the highest surface-area of any known substance.
A sugar-lump sized piece of MOF material can have the same surface area as a football pitch. Until now MOF manufacturing techniques have been limited as they are costly, slow and require large quantities of solvents, which can be toxic and harmful to the environment. Now, Stuart James, Professor, Queen’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has patented a novel technique for the synthesis of MOFs, allowing affordable, large-scale deployment of these ground-breaking materials for the first time.
“Because of their extremely large surface-areas and the flexibility with which their properties can be varied, MOFs can be used as sponges, to soak up and store gases, or as filters to separate and capture specific gases and chemicals. For example, they can be used to greatly increase the storage capacity of gas tanks. Now, for the first time, our patented technology allows the synthesis of MOFs without using any solvents, even water, and on greatly reduced timescales, by making use of mechanochemistry,” said James.
“By simply grinding together two cheap precursors in a basic milling machine, the MOF material is produced in a matter of minutes, in a powder form, ready for applications without further treatment, and without generating solvent waste,” added James.
“The potential for this technology is huge. Industry has known for some time about the incredible properties of MOFs and hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent on their development in research labs around the world. We can now manufacture these materials in a scalable and environmentally-friendly way, unlocking their potential to transform the transport, gas storage and medical industries in the years to come,” said Tom Robinson, CEO, MOF Technologies.
“By enabling higher storage capacities at much lower pressures, storage tanks don’t need to be as strong, so they can be much lighter and may even be shaped to fit the free space available. The lower storage pressure also means that new, costly refueling infrastructure such as specialized filling stations is no longer required and opens up the possibility of refueling vehicles in the home, from domestic gas supplies. The same gas supplies that power our central heating and gas oven,” said Professor James.
MOF Technologies is also hoping to exploit opportunities in global carbon capture, hazardous gas storage, natural gas processing and hydrocarbon separations. “QUBIS was delighted to partner with NetScientific in the creation of our latest Queen’s University spin-out. QUBIS exists to support acclaimed Queen’s academics, like Professor James, in commercialising their cutting edge research and we are confident this will be the latest in a long line of successes,” said Frank Bryan, interim CEO, QUBIS.
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