Post synthetic modification of MIL-101(Cr) for S-shaped isotherms and fast kinetics with water adsorption

This article presents the surface characteristics of alkali (Li+, Na+, K+) doped MIL-101(Cr) metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and the structural properties are evaluated by scanning electron micrography (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analyser (TGA) and N2 adsorption analysis. The amount of water uptakes are measured by a gravimetric analyser for the temperatures ranging from 298 K to 333 K and pressures up to the saturated conditions. The experimentally measured isotherms and kinetics data are fitted with the equations developed from the concept of Langmuir analogy. The isosteric heat of adsorption is calculated employing Van't Hoff equation in the pressure-temperature-uptake co-ordinate systems. The hydrophobic length at low pressure regions is shortened by the addition of alkali dopants. It is observed that the alkali (Na, K and Li) ions on MIL-101(Cr) MOF increase the water uptakes at lower relative pressure region with fast kinetics. We have shown here that the alkali doped MIL-101(Cr) MOFs can be used as potential adsorbents for various low temperature heat transmission applications such as adsorption assisted heat pump, cooling and desalination.