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

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McKinstry, Colin and Cathcart, Russell J. and Cussen, Edmund J. and Fletcher, Ashleigh J. and Patwardhan, Siddharth V. and Sefcik, Jan (2016) Scalable continuous solvothermal synthesis of metal organic framework (MOF-5) crystals. Chemical Engineering Journal, 285. pp. 718-725. ISSN 1385-8947 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.10.023)

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Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF)s 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.

ORCID iDs

McKinstry, Colin, Cathcart, Russell J., Cussen, Edmund J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2899-6888, Fletcher, Ashleigh J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-8887, Patwardhan, Siddharth V. and Sefcik, Jan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7181-5122;
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