Microfluidic approach toward continuous synthesis of metal organic framework (MOF) crystals

目的和目标：研究和开发微流控合成MOF结构的合成技术，所生产的MOF结构在各个领域都有已知的应用。测试mof的性能和性能与通过批处理形成的mof的性能和性能。应用和优势：金属有机骨架（mof）是由金属离子和有机多功能化配体构成的多孔晶体材料。它们在气体储存、化学分离、催化、药物输送等广泛应用中显示出前景。为了满足其大规模应用的要求，开发简便有效的mof合成方法是非常必要的。微流体技术为mof的合成提供了一种质量优于传统间歇工艺的方法。通过使用微流体装置，1)可以制造许多mof，而无需为每次合成定制设备；2)可以在不影响产品质量的情况下实现mof的快速合成，并且可以精确控制其尺寸和形状；3)可以采用简单的“数字”策略来生产mof，其数量接近广泛应用所需的数量。该项目的初步计划是开发一种基于液滴的UiO-67微流控合成路线，这在以前没有研究过。这种MOF在H2捕获和储存、CO2捕获和储存以及一系列催化过程中显示出应用潜力。一旦UiO-67的非修改形式通过此过程完成，那么重点将转移到为特定应用程序形成UiO-67的功能化形式。拟议的研究非常适合EPSRC工程组合中的几个研究领域，例如微系统和制造技术

Aims and objectives: To research and develop synthesis techniques for the microfluidic synthesis of MOF structures, with the MOF structures produced having known applications in a variety of areas. To test the properties and performance of MOFs produced against those formed through batch processes. To scale up the production to Kg/day scaleApplications and benefits:Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials, constructed by metal ions and organic polyfunctional ligands. They have shown promise in a wide range of applications such as gas storage, chemical separations, catalysis, drug delivery, etc. To meet their large-scale applications requirements, the development of facile and effective synthetic methods of MOFs is highly desirable. Microfluidics technology offered a qualitatively superior alternative to conventional batch process for MOFs synthesis. By using microfluidic devices, 1) a number of MOFs can be manufactured without the need of bespoke equipment for each synthesis; 2) a fast synthesis of MOFs can be achieved without a loss in product quality and moreover with a precise control over their size and shape; and 3) a simple 'number-up' strategy can be applied to produce MOFs with quantities approaching those required for widespread application. The initial plan for this project is to develop a droplet-based microfluidic synthesis route for UiO-67, which has not been previously investigated. This MOF has shown potential for applications in H2 capture and storage, CO2 capture and storage, and a range of catalytic processes. Once the non-modified form of UiO-67 has been made through this process, then the focus will shift to forming a functionalised form of UiO-67 for a specific application.The proposed research fits well into several research areas within the EPSRC engineering portfolio, e.g. Microsystems and Manufacturing Technologies