Dissertation: Innovative climate solutions – Exploring advanced materials for CO2 direct air capture applications (Mahajan)
Among the various CO2-capturing materials being explored, a promising class of porous crystalline materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), have emerged as potentially customizable materials for selectively capturing atmospheric CO2.
“This work aimed to synthesize and characterize amine-functionalized MOFs for interest in CO2 DAC applications”, Doctoral Researcher Shreya Mahajan from Ģֱ explains.
Developing the theory of potentially customizable materials for selectively capturing atmospheric CO2
The thesis's first section covers the most recent achievements made in developing MOFs for DAC potential. The second section encapsulates the key results published in three journal articles related to this work.
“It details the preparation of an amino-triazole-based N-rich bent ligand and the discovery of its molecular salts assisted by different anions”, Mahajan clarifies.
Several characterization techniques were used to fully understand these anion-templated supramolecular assemblies, which self-assemble through a combination of noncovalent interactions. The amino-triazole-based ligand was further utilized to create a series of MOFs by combining it with a dicarboxylate linker. This introduced basic functionalities (–NH2) and polarizable sulfur atoms onto the MOF pores. These synthesized Zn-based mixed-linker MOFs were explored for potential applications in CO2 adsorption studies.
Aiming to overcome the challenges of capturing CO2
Lastly, the thesis focuses on utilizing amine-tethered MOF for capturing CO2, aiming to understand material long-term behavior when employed under realistic DAC working conditions. The results revealed some challenges in using the studied material for capturing CO2 efficiently, such as kinetic limitations and stability issues when exposed to certain conditions. The thesis emphasizes the need to focus on addressing these challenges to develop efficient materials for capturing CO2.
M.Sc. Shreya Mahajan defends her doctoral dissertation "Exploring the Applicability of Amine-Containing Metal-Organic Frameworks on Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide" on Friday 13.9.2024 at noon 12:00 in lecture hall ۱ö4. Opponent Professor Len Barbour (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) and Custos Senior Lecturer Manu Lahtinen (Ģֱ). The doctoral dissertation is held in English.
The dissertation "Exploring the Applicability of Amine-Containing Metal-Organic Frameworks on Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide" can be read on the JYX publication archive:
