Molecular Simulations for Adsorption-Based CO2 Separation Using Metal Organic Frameworks

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have received significant attention as a new family of nanoporous materials in the last decade. Variations in geometry, size, and chemical functionality of these materials have led to several thousands of different MOF structures. MOFs typically have high porosities, large surface areas, and reasonable thermal and mechanical stabilities. These properties make them ideal adsorbents for adsorption-based gas separations. It is not practically possible to test the adsorption-based gas separation potential of all available MOFs using purely experimental techniques. Molecular simulations can guide experimental studies by providing insights into the gas adsorption and separation mechanisms of MOFs. Several molecular simulation studies have examined adsorption-based CO2 separation using MOFs due to the importance of CO2 capture for clean energy applications. These simulations have been able to identify the MOF having the most promising CO2 separation properties prior to extensive experimental efforts. The aim of this chapter is to address current opportunities and challenges of molecular simulations of MOFs for adsorption-based CO2 separations and to provide an outlook for prospective simulation studies.