Amine-functionalized copper-based Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) adsorbent for CO2 capture

BackgroundAdopting Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is a significant approach to achieving CO2 reduction targets. Among various CO2 capture technologies, solid adsorption has emerged as the most widely used method. However, the CO2 adsorption selectivity of certain metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) remains low. To enhance CO2 capture performance, amine functionalities are often tethered to MOFs. This study investigates the potential of amine-functionalized copper-based MOF (Cu-MOF-TEPA) for CO2 capture, comparing its performance with pristine Cu-MOF incorporated with dimethylformamide (DMF). ResultsBoth Cu-MOF-TEPA and Cu-MOF-DMF were synthesized using the impregnation method and characterized using XRD, FTIR, TGA, BET, and SEM-EDX. Characterization results confirmed the presence of TEPA and DMF within the pores of Cu-MOF. Both materials demonstrated favorable CO2 adsorption properties, with Cu-MOF-TEPA exhibiting superior adsorption capacity. The increased adsorption in Cu-MOF-TEPA was attributed to the strong chemical interaction between -NH2 and CO2. The CO2 sorption capacity of Cu-MOF-TEPA was recorded at 323 mg/g, significantly higher than Cu-MOF-DMF at 135 mg/g. This represents a >58% in CO2 uptake efficiency. ConclusionThe study demonstrated that amine functionalization with TEPA enhances the CO2 adsorption performance of Cu-MOF more effectively than DMF functionalization. The improved adsorption capacity is due to the flexible and highly dispersive nature of TEPA under optimal conditions (5 bar pressure and 300 mg adsorbent dosage). These findings highlight the potential of TEPA-functionalized Cu-MOF as a promising adsorbent for efficient CO2 capture. (c) 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).