3D-Printed Metal-Organic Framework Monoliths for Gas Adsorption Processes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show potential for gas separation and storage.
• Scalable fabrication of MOFs into practical gas-solid contactors remains a challenge.
• Existing MOF formulations limit large-scale industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a scalable method for fabricating MOF monoliths.
• To evaluate the CO2 adsorptive performance of 3D-printed MOF monoliths.
• To assess the suitability of 3D-printed MOFs for air capture applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of MOF monoliths using 3D printing (robocasting) technique.
• Characterization of physical and structural properties of 3D-printed MOF-74(Ni) and UTSA-16(Co) monoliths.
• Evaluation of CO2 adsorption capacity and kinetics of MOF monoliths at 5000 ppm CO2 and 25 °C.

Main Results:

• High MOF loadings achieved in 3D-printed monoliths (80 wt % for MOF-74(Ni), 85 wt % for UTSA-16(Co)).
• MOF monoliths exhibited significant CO2 uptake capacities (1.35 mmol/g for MOF-74(Ni), 1.31 mmol/g for UTSA-16(Co)).
• Adsorption capacities were 79-87% of their MOF powder analogues, with good adsorption kinetics and stable performance.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing (robocasting) is an effective technique for fabricating scalable MOF monoliths.
• 3D-printed MOF monoliths show promising performance for CO2 removal from air.
• This approach facilitates the development of practical MOF-based gas separation technologies.