Smart MOFs: applications-based online analysis and optimisation for continuous production of metal organic frameworks

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In this project the student will develop new analytical technology to assess the quality of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are hybrid microporous solids featuring high-surface areas and tuneable structures, which can be used in a diverse range of applications such as sensing, catalysis, drug delivery, and gas storage. Recent work looking at industrial methods for scalable production of MOFs has seen their production in flow reactors which allow scalable production with rapid synthesis and high space time yields. They do so "blind" however, with no immediate mechanism for characterising the product online, as all standard methods (XRD, BET, SEM etc) need time-consuming sample preparation and offline analysis. This is highly problematic as it precludes real-time quality assurance when producing materials, and optimisation of reaction conditions when starting production is slow and manually intensive. Here we wish to investigate a qualitatively distinct approach to monitoring MOF quality. As most key physical properties of MOFs are prohibitively difficult or impossible to analyse in-flow, this project will develop analysis technology that instead focuses on the end applications, developing and implementing online analysers that quantify how well the product will perform at a target application (e.g. catalysis, sensing, absorption etc), beginning with organic pollution remediation.