Advancements in Carbon Capture: Investigating Modified UiO-66 MOFs through Synthesis, Characterization, and Sorption Studies

The pressing demand for effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods in the battle against climate change has boosted considerable research into advanced porous materials. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) stand out as a promising avenue owing to their remarkable porosity, tunability, and high surface areas1. This study deals with the synthesis, characterization, and gas sorption properties of UiO-66, alongside its amine-functionalized counterpart UiO-66-NH2, and their pyrazine derivatives. Emphasizing their potential in CO2 capture, the study delves into the strategic integration of functional groups like amines and pyrazine derivatives to bolster CO2 adsorption via enhanced interaction energies and selectivities. Through a comprehensive set of characterization techniques, including SEM, TEM, PXRD, TGA, EDX-elemental mapping, and BET analysis, the morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface properties of these MOFs are elucidated. Gas sorption investigations show the enhanced CO2 uptake capacities of these tailored MOFs, attributed to their large surface areas and the presence of specific functional groups that interact preferentially with CO2 molecules. These findings highlight the promise of UiO-66 and its derivatives in carbon capture technologies, offering valuable insights into the design and optimization of MOFs for environmental applications.