The integration of MOFs into industrial relevant processes marks the shift towards green chemistry
Over the past 15 years, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) has been the subject of intense efforts in research and development, both in the laboratory and on the industrial scale. Why? Because, scientists believe the material can be developed for use in a variety of industrial processes. The challenge, however, has been a lack of clean and sustainable methods to develop the MOF-material. This is now history. A safe, environmental-friendly synthesis method has now been reported to be successful.
“The new method uses water instead of solvent to synthesize MOFs, which is a greener and much more sustainable way of producing the MOF-material,” said Sachin Maruti Chavan, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder.
Greener and safer methods
The greener route of synthesis is developed by scientists at the University of Oslo and uses water instead of N,N Dimethylformamide (DMF), also known as solvent, to synthesize Zr-based MOFs. This green synthesis of MOFs is developed with respect to the environment, reactant choice and the synthesis design. Water is used as the reaction medium and therefore the synthesis is mindful of sustainability and environmental impact.
“This new method of synthesizing MOFs symbolizes how green chemistry and sustainability can be compatible with the requirements of industrial production,” Chavan highlights.
A Breakthrough
What does this mean? Well, with scientists being able to produce and manufacture the MOF-material in an environmental-friendly way, it means that companies like ProfMOF are able to fast-track the process of commercializing its products.
“We are now able to synthesize MOFs using water, which means the development of this synthesis is a measure breakthrough in the commercialization of MOFs,” said Svein-Olav Torø, Managing Director.
The future is now
With a green and environmental-friendly synthesis method, one would think that commercialization is just around the corner. However, the new method of synthesizing MOFs is still under development and scientists needs to test the MOF-material for further development. The good news though, is that scientists are now one step closer and one chance greater at achieving the goal of making the product investor-ready and, hence, commercialize the unique and world-changing product for future utilization.