Synthesis and structuralisation of Metal-organic Frameworks

This honours research project will investigate the structuralisation of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOF) under the guidance of scientists in the Department of Chemistry.

There are some 20,000 possible MOF materials reported (and growing) but most of the applications of MOFs rely upon developing materials where not only is the composition tailored but also the nano, meso and macro structure is controlled.¹

This extends to controlling the particle size, which is important for catalysis² and separations,³ as well as thinking about the arrangement of the particles into structures and the moulding into pellets.

This project will investigate the structuralisation of MOFs, which extends from controlling particle size and composition in MOFs, to templated synthesis of composite materials, possibly from naturally available precursors.

You will get to develop your skills in materials synthesis and characterisation and learn to work in applied areas of MOF chemistry.

References

1. Ricco, R. et al., ‘Emerging Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks’ CrystEngComm
2. Linder-Patton, O. et al., 'Influence of nanoscale structuralisation on the catalytic performance of ZIF-8: a cautionary surface catalysis study' CrystEngComm
3. Dechnik, J. et al., 'Mixed-matrix membranes' Angewandte Chemie International Edition