Development of microporous Zr-MOF UiO-66 by sol-gel synthesis for CO2 capture from synthetic gas containing CO2 and H2

A well-defined Zr-metal organic framework (UiO-66) was developed using a rapid sol-gel reflux method and activated by solvent exchange, drying and heating. The activation process with an exchangeable guest solvent produced Zr-MOF with high surface area by removal of almost all the guest and terephthalic acid molecules from the pores, thereby enhancing its capacity for adsorption. The results showed that UiO-66 was synthesized in octahedral crystals of n formed s es of 6 63 m with specific surface area of 313 m2/g. The sample, known to exhibit high chemical and thermal stability of up to 500 C demonstrated strong affinity for carbon dioxide with adsorption capacity of 428.7 cc (CO2) g 1 at STP. Results from pressure swing adsorption (PSA) experiment with synthesis gas feed mixture containing 15 vol.% of CO2 and 85 vol.% indicate that the as–synthesized sample has the potential for effective CO2/H2 separation.