Researchers at BASF have developed a method for organic-solvent-free industrial-scale manufacture of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Materials produced by the new method are currently being trialed in the U.S. in cooperation with an undisclosed customer for gas storage in natural-gas-fueled heavy-duty vehicles. The Ludwigshafen, Germany-based chemical company notes MOFs should enable these vehicles to travel double the distance without expanding fuel tank size. BASF adds that MOFs also hold promise for catalysis, as nanoreactors and in drug delivery.
The method, besides not relying on organic solvents, is simple and gives a higher material yield from an aqueous medium, says the company. In addition, it's suitable for existing BASF production plants.
"We are delighted at this significant advance in industrial-scale production, which is a crucial requirement for commercial use of these fascinating materials," notes Dr. Friedrich Seitz, head of chemicals research.
"MOFs have a large surface area… The gas is physically adsorbed at the surface. The size of the surface area can be influenced by different parameters like the used reactants and the synthesis process. That way, our MOFs can store twice to-three-times as much gas as conventional storage systems. Alternatively, with the same amount of gas the storage units can become smaller compared to conventional ones," explains Dr. Manuela Kummeter of BASF's Corporate Media Relations.
