Sustainable Continuous Synthesis and Shape Engineering of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Storage Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
The development of efficient gas storage systems has long been a limiting factor behind the adoption of gas-powered vehicles. These vehicles, powered by hydrogen or methane gases, are viable alternatives to petroleum automobiles while producing less environmentally damaging emissions and utilising a more abundant fuel source.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of high surface area absorbents, have since been proposed as a solid state gas storage system. These materials allow the adsorption of large volumes of gases at lower pressures than required by existing compression based storage canisters. While high performing gas storage MOFs have been produced in small scale batches within a laboratory environment, their widespread adoption into commercial technologies is hindered by a lack of scalable synthetics methods and the ability to shape the produced MOF powder into a form useful for gas storage applications.
Proposed solution and methodology
The proposed project aims to work at the interface between two emerging fields within the metal-organic framework research space, namely: sustainable scalable synthesis and shape engineering, in order to facilitate the development of industrially applicable processes. The work will expand upon the previous nanomaterial synthesis research conducted within the Lester group, utilising the patented 'continuous hydrothermal synthesis' technology to produce MOFs in flow. This will enable us to systematically tackle three main areas of concern for gas storage MOFs: scalability of production, development of shaping procedures and the demonstration of gas storage performance at system representative scales.
High performing gas storage MOFs, currently batch produced within the literature, will be translated across to the continuous hydrothermal synthesis rig to evaluate the viability of continuous production. If the initial screening is successful, the process will be optimized via a statistical design of experiments approach with product quality being monitored via standard techniques (XRD, BET and SEM).
Once an optimized continuous process is achieved, this allows access to the appreciable (multi-gram) quantities of samples required to conduct systematic shaping studies. Which are essential to elucidate the optimum MOF morphology for gas storage applications, in this project both pelletization and monolith formation will be investigated as potential shaping methodologies. The produced shaped MOF bodies will be comparatively assessed in terms of gas storage performance and mechanical stability to their loose powder equivalents.
Finally, scale up of both the continuous synthesis and shaping strategy will be attempted, with the aim to produce ~5kgs of shaped material, as this is much more comparable to the needs of a vehicular fuel tank. Large scale gas adsorption measurements will be conducted in order to validate the previous lab-scale performance predictions. The process intensification will be conducted in collaboration with our industrial sponsor, Promethean Particles, who commercially produce nanomaterials utilising identical reactor technology to the continuous hydrothermal synthesis set up used throughout this project. This should enable a smooth transition from bench-top to pilot plant production.
Area: Energy storage
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of high surface area absorbents, have since been proposed as a solid state gas storage system. These materials allow the adsorption of large volumes of gases at lower pressures than required by existing compression based storage canisters. While high performing gas storage MOFs have been produced in small scale batches within a laboratory environment, their widespread adoption into commercial technologies is hindered by a lack of scalable synthetics methods and the ability to shape the produced MOF powder into a form useful for gas storage applications.
Proposed solution and methodology
The proposed project aims to work at the interface between two emerging fields within the metal-organic framework research space, namely: sustainable scalable synthesis and shape engineering, in order to facilitate the development of industrially applicable processes. The work will expand upon the previous nanomaterial synthesis research conducted within the Lester group, utilising the patented 'continuous hydrothermal synthesis' technology to produce MOFs in flow. This will enable us to systematically tackle three main areas of concern for gas storage MOFs: scalability of production, development of shaping procedures and the demonstration of gas storage performance at system representative scales.
High performing gas storage MOFs, currently batch produced within the literature, will be translated across to the continuous hydrothermal synthesis rig to evaluate the viability of continuous production. If the initial screening is successful, the process will be optimized via a statistical design of experiments approach with product quality being monitored via standard techniques (XRD, BET and SEM).
Once an optimized continuous process is achieved, this allows access to the appreciable (multi-gram) quantities of samples required to conduct systematic shaping studies. Which are essential to elucidate the optimum MOF morphology for gas storage applications, in this project both pelletization and monolith formation will be investigated as potential shaping methodologies. The produced shaped MOF bodies will be comparatively assessed in terms of gas storage performance and mechanical stability to their loose powder equivalents.
Finally, scale up of both the continuous synthesis and shaping strategy will be attempted, with the aim to produce ~5kgs of shaped material, as this is much more comparable to the needs of a vehicular fuel tank. Large scale gas adsorption measurements will be conducted in order to validate the previous lab-scale performance predictions. The process intensification will be conducted in collaboration with our industrial sponsor, Promethean Particles, who commercially produce nanomaterials utilising identical reactor technology to the continuous hydrothermal synthesis set up used throughout this project. This should enable a smooth transition from bench-top to pilot plant production.
Area: Energy storage
Planned Impact
This CDT will have a positive impact in the following areas:
PEOPLE. The primary focus is people and training. Industry needs new approaches to reach their sustainability targets and this is driving an increasing demand for highly qualified PhD graduates to lead innovation and manage change in the area of chemicals production. CDT based cohort training will provide industry ready scientists with the required technical competencies and drive to ensure that the sector retains its lead position in both innovation and productivity. In partnership with leading chemical producers and users, we will provide world class training to satisfy the changing needs of tomorrow's chemistry-using sector. Through integrated links to our Business School we will maximise impact by delivering dynamic PhD graduates who are business aware.
ECONOMY. Sustainability is the major issue facing the global chemical industry. Not only is there concern for our environment, there is also is a strong economic driver. Shareholders place emphasis on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index that tracks the performances of the sector and engenders competition. As a result, major companies have set ambitious targets to lower their carbon footprints, or even become carbon neutral. GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty states that "we have a goal to reduce our emissions and energy use by 45% compared with 2006 levels on a per unit sales basis... " Our CDT will help companies meet these challenges by producing the new chemistries, processes and people that are the key to making the step changes needed.
SOCIETY. The diverse range of products manufactured by the chemical-using industries is vital to maintain a high quality of life in the UK. Our CDT will have a direct impact by ensuring a supply of people and new knowledge to secure sustainability for the benefit of all. The role of chemistry is often hidden from the public view and our CDT will provide a platform to show chemical sciences in a positive light, and to demonstrate the importance of engineering and applications across biosciences and food science.
The "green and sustainable" agenda is now firmly fixed in the public consciousness, our CDT will be an exemplar of how scientists and engineers are providing solutions to very challenging scientific and technical problems, in an environmentally benign manner, for the benefit of society. We will seek sustainable solutions to a wide range of problems, whilst working in sustainable and energy efficient facilities. This environment will engender a sustainability ethos unique to the UK. The CNL will not only serve as a base for the CDT but also as a hub for science communication.
Public engagement is a crucial component of CDT activities; we will invite input and discussion from the public via lectures, showcases and exhibition days. The CNL will form a hub for University open days and will serve as a soft interface to give school children and young adults the opportunity to view science from the inside. Through Dr Sam Tang, public awareness scientist, we have significant expertise in delivering outreach across the social spectrum, and she will lead our activities and ensure that the CDT cohorts engage to realise the impact of science on society. Martyn Poliakoff, in his role as Royal Society Foreign Secretary, will ensure that our CDT dovetails with UK science policy.
KNOWLEDGE. In addition to increasing the supply of highly trained people, the results of the PhD research performed in our CDT will have a major impact on knowledge. Our student cohorts will tackle "the big problems" in sustainable chemistry, and via our industrial partners we will ensure this knowledge is applied in industry, and publicised through high level academic outputs. Our knowledge-based activities will drive innovation and economic activity, realising impact through creation of new jobs and securing the future.
PEOPLE. The primary focus is people and training. Industry needs new approaches to reach their sustainability targets and this is driving an increasing demand for highly qualified PhD graduates to lead innovation and manage change in the area of chemicals production. CDT based cohort training will provide industry ready scientists with the required technical competencies and drive to ensure that the sector retains its lead position in both innovation and productivity. In partnership with leading chemical producers and users, we will provide world class training to satisfy the changing needs of tomorrow's chemistry-using sector. Through integrated links to our Business School we will maximise impact by delivering dynamic PhD graduates who are business aware.
ECONOMY. Sustainability is the major issue facing the global chemical industry. Not only is there concern for our environment, there is also is a strong economic driver. Shareholders place emphasis on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index that tracks the performances of the sector and engenders competition. As a result, major companies have set ambitious targets to lower their carbon footprints, or even become carbon neutral. GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty states that "we have a goal to reduce our emissions and energy use by 45% compared with 2006 levels on a per unit sales basis... " Our CDT will help companies meet these challenges by producing the new chemistries, processes and people that are the key to making the step changes needed.
SOCIETY. The diverse range of products manufactured by the chemical-using industries is vital to maintain a high quality of life in the UK. Our CDT will have a direct impact by ensuring a supply of people and new knowledge to secure sustainability for the benefit of all. The role of chemistry is often hidden from the public view and our CDT will provide a platform to show chemical sciences in a positive light, and to demonstrate the importance of engineering and applications across biosciences and food science.
The "green and sustainable" agenda is now firmly fixed in the public consciousness, our CDT will be an exemplar of how scientists and engineers are providing solutions to very challenging scientific and technical problems, in an environmentally benign manner, for the benefit of society. We will seek sustainable solutions to a wide range of problems, whilst working in sustainable and energy efficient facilities. This environment will engender a sustainability ethos unique to the UK. The CNL will not only serve as a base for the CDT but also as a hub for science communication.
Public engagement is a crucial component of CDT activities; we will invite input and discussion from the public via lectures, showcases and exhibition days. The CNL will form a hub for University open days and will serve as a soft interface to give school children and young adults the opportunity to view science from the inside. Through Dr Sam Tang, public awareness scientist, we have significant expertise in delivering outreach across the social spectrum, and she will lead our activities and ensure that the CDT cohorts engage to realise the impact of science on society. Martyn Poliakoff, in his role as Royal Society Foreign Secretary, will ensure that our CDT dovetails with UK science policy.
KNOWLEDGE. In addition to increasing the supply of highly trained people, the results of the PhD research performed in our CDT will have a major impact on knowledge. Our student cohorts will tackle "the big problems" in sustainable chemistry, and via our industrial partners we will ensure this knowledge is applied in industry, and publicised through high level academic outputs. Our knowledge-based activities will drive innovation and economic activity, realising impact through creation of new jobs and securing the future.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Edward Lester (Primary Supervisor) | |
| William Oakley (Student) |