Ancient Glassmaking Technique Improves Processing of Gas-Trapping MOF Glasses

Researchers have developed a new way to make metal-organic framework (MOF) glass easier to produce. The method uses principles from traditional glassmaking. As a result, the material can now be processed at lower temperatures.

MOF glasses are a new type of hybrid material. They combine metal atoms with organic molecules to create a porous structure. Because of these tiny pores, the material can trap gases. Therefore, researchers see potential for applications such as carbon capture, hydrogen storage, membranes and coatings.

Lower Temperatures Simplify Manufacturing

Until now, MOF glasses have been difficult to manufacture. The material only softens at very high temperatures. However, these temperatures are close to the point where the material starts to degrade. This narrow processing window has limited large-scale production.

To improve this, the researchers added small amounts of sodium and lithium compounds. These additives loosen the internal structure of the glass. Consequently, the material softens and flows more easily during processing.

The technique is similar to methods used in traditional silicate glassmaking. For centuries, glassmakers have used chemical additives to control melting behaviour and improve performance. Now, researchers have applied the same principle to MOF glass.

Dr Dominik Kubicki from the University of Birmingham explained that chemical modifiers have been used in glass production since ancient times. According to the team, this approach could help make MOF glasses more practical for industrial manufacturing.

Potential for Carbon Capture and Clean Energy

One well-known MOF glass, called ZIF-62, keeps part of its porous structure after melting and cooling. Because of this, it is considered suitable for gas separation and storage technologies.

The research team used high-temperature experiments and AI-supported computer modelling to study the material. They discovered that sodium ions partly replace zinc atoms inside the glass structure. As a result, the network becomes slightly more open, which improves the material’s flow properties.

Professor Sebastian Henke from TU Dortmund University said the research shows that traditional glassmaking techniques can also work for hybrid materials. In addition, the study could support the development of customised MOF glasses with specific thermal and mechanical properties.

Although more research is still needed, the discovery is an important step towards large-scale production. In the future, these materials could support cleaner energy systems and carbon reduction technologies.

The study was published in Nature Chemistry.

Source: Interesting Engineering
Photo: Ansgar Koreng