Research Projects

The research plan aims to develop functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with CO2-philic and catalytic sites for the chemical fixation of CO2 into high-value chemicals. The dependence on fossil fuels has led to anthropogenic global emissions of CO2, causing environmental concerns. MOFs, a unique class of crystalline solids, are potential candidates for next-generation CO2 capture and conversion materials. The plan proposes porous MOFs with permanent porosity, high surface area, CO2-philic sites, and Lewis acidic metal ions for selective CO2 conversion to valuable chemicals. Multitopic rigid, aromatic organic linkers with carboxylate or pyridine or pyrazolyl donors will be used for CO2 capture and conversion. MOFs with high-density CO2-philic sites will be utilized for CO2 capture and conversion to valuable chemicals. The π-electron rich nature of MOFs will help hold and stabilize more CO2 molecules in the pores of the MOFs. The proposed research plan aims to design and synthesize functional MOFs with CO2-philic sites suitable for better CO2 interactions and high catalytic activity for the conversion of CO2 to value-added products.