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CLIMIT-Forskning, utvikling og demo av CO2-håndtering

Capturing of CO2 with solid, enzyme inspired non volatile sorbents.

Awarded: NOK 8.0 mill.

The primary objective of the project has been to understand the nature of CO2-active site interaction at a molecular level and to use this knowledge to modify the internal surface of crystalline nanoporous metal organic framework (MOF) type materials. The ultimate goal is to make pre-designed enzyme-inspired materials for selective CO2 adsorption. In natural photosynthesis, CO2 is captured by enzymes in the chloroplasts of plant cells, huge molecules with specialized functions in the cell. The plant enzyme RuBisCO captures CO2 molecules by perfectly fitting them onto its active site, like a jigsaw puzzle. In a new class of materials, we try to synthetically mimic the active sites of such enzymes. These materials are called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and are porous, flexible compounds. The pores are almost a nanometer big; large enough to fit tiny CO2 gas molecules and even larger molecules like sugars and oils. In these pores we are trying to implement seats on which the CO2 can selectively attach. All functional groups of enzymes are formed by amino acids. The amino acids do either directly form the functional group themselves or by forming an amino acid metal complex that make a composite active center. The last  publication listed (4) discloses a method that pave the way for an incorporation of all amino acids into UiO-type Zr MOFs. A further development of this method allow for the possible to actively control the position new functional groups (amino acids) relative those that already are in the structure. We are in the process of patenting these methods (September 2016).   This will enable active construction of designed catalytic- and absorption-centers in porous materials. The aim is to design materials that both capture CO2 molecules and transform them into larger organic compounds that will either be easier to store or can be used further as raw materials in chemical processes. These are how enzymes work; plants use the captured CO2 to make sugars and starches by utilizing using energy from sunlight. The project has developed new environmentally friendly synthetic method for medium scale production of these materials. Water is used as solvent which opens for an environmentally friendly production of these materials. The production will be without the use of toxic or hazardous chemicals. This is crucial for an industrial scale-up of the production of MOF materials. This project has been important for the creation of the startup company ProfMOF AS that can deliver these materials in kg quantities for industry and research institutions developing applications.

The main challenge for the 21st century is to reduce CO2 emission generated from our use of fossil fuel and facilitate a transition to renewable energy sources. New materials that are able to adsorb CO2 with a high selectivity and with the right adsorptio n enthalpy are essential both for carbon capture materials and in catalysts for CO2 activation. J. Long et al have in a recent review discussed possible solutions to CO2 capture from a materials scientist?s perspective. Modified metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most promising materials. Our aim is to utilize the knowledge obtained from recent elucidation of the chemical nature and structure of active sites in enzymatic CO2 capture and activation. Theoretical tools will be used to evaluate the interaction between CO2 and simplified versions of these active sites in order to select the most promising structures. Candidate active centers will be designed within MOF structures starting with the tagged versions of zirconium based UiO-66 and ch romium based MIL-101 MOF materials. These structures are selected because of their complimentary cage structure and high thermal and chemical stability that allow secondary chemical modifications and application in humid conditions. Based on our acquired skills in both direct and secondary synthesis of MOF materials will we develop methods to synthesize these enzyme-like structures inside crystalline porous adsorbents. New materials will be characterized to understand the host-CO2 interaction and this kno wledge will then be used to improve the next generation of materials which will be evaluated as catalysts and adsorbents. The main goals are to understand the interaction between CO2 and the active site, to develop computational skills in modeling of hos t-CO2 interactions and to develop our methods to introduce the model structures into porous crystalline materials.

Funding scheme:

CLIMIT-Forskning, utvikling og demo av CO2-håndtering