Biological Chitin-MOF Composites with Hierarchical Pore Systems for Air-Filtration Applications

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2015 Oct 19;54(43):12588-91. doi: 10.1002/anie.201504572. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for gas-separation and air-filtration applications. However, for these applications, MOF crystallites need to be incorporated in robust and manageable support materials. We used chitin-based networks from a marine sponge as a non-toxic, biodegradable, and low-weight support material for MOF deposition. The structural properties of the material favor predominant nucleation of the MOF crystallites at the inside of the hollow fibers. This composite has a hierarchical pore system with surface areas up to 800 m(2) g(-1) and pore volumes of 3.6 cm(3) g(-1) , allowing good transport kinetics and a very high loading of the active material. Ammonia break-through experiments highlight the accessibility of the MOF crystallites and the adsorption potential of the composite indicating their high potential for filtration applications for toxic industrial gases.

Keywords: Cu3BTC2; NH3 adsorption; chitin; marine sponge; metal-organic frameworks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Air Filters*
  • Air Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Ammonia / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Chitin / chemistry*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Porifera / chemistry
  • Porosity

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Chitin
  • Ammonia