Microwave enhanced synthesis of MOF-5 and its CO2 capture ability at moderate temperatures across multiple capture and release cycles

The metal-organic framework, MOF-5 (Zn4O(BDC)3), was prepared using solvothermal synthesis under microwave irradiation, followed by solvent exchange to improve molecular stability at high temperatures, and assessed for its ability to capture CO2 at ambient pressure and temperatures up to 300 °C. The reaction product was characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, N2 physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis and CO2 physisorption. Cyclic CO2 physisorption showed the capacity of the MOF-5 crystals to be 3.61 wt% when cycled between 30 °C and 300 °C through 10 separate capture and release cycles. Above 400 °C MOF-5 underwent thermal decomposition and was no longer capable of capturing CO2.