Shaping of a Metal-Organic Framework-Polymer Composite and Its CO2 Adsorption Performances from Humid Indoor Air

Abstract

Diamine-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are known as desirable adsorbents that can capture CO2 even at low pressures, but the humidity instability of bare MOF powders as well as their shaping have not yet adequately addressed for practical applications. Herein, we report an effective synthetic strategy for fabricating millimeter-sized MOF/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composite beads with different amounts of PVDF binders (30, 40, and 50 wt %) via a phase inversion method, followed by the postfunctionalization of 1-ethylpropane-1,3-diamine (epn). Compared with the pristine MOF powder, the diamine-grafted bead, epn-MOF/PVDF40, upon mixing with 40% binder polymers, exhibited a superior long-term performance without structural collapse for up to 1 month. The existence of the hydrophobic PVDF polymer in the composite material is responsible for such durability. This work provides a promising preparative route toward developing stable and shaped MOFs for the removal of indoor CO2.