Comparison between conventional solvothermal and aqueous solution-based production of UiO-66-NH2: Life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, and implications for CO2 capture and storage

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of materials that has shown great potential in catalysis, sensing, separations, and carbon capture storage. Conventionally, MOFs synthesized at lab-scale using organic solvent-based systems, leading to high environmental burdens operating costs, which ultimately hinders the large-scale production application MOFs. Aqueous synthesis overcomes such difficulty by eliminating solvent, makes it an environmental-friendlier economically-favorable alternative current method. However, further quantitative analysis is required compare economic performances two methods. Here, we used life cycle assessment (LCA) coupled with techno-economic (TEA) evaluate different UiO-66-NH2 When solvothermal method was replaced aqueous solution-based method, LCA TEA results suggest cost were reduced up 91% 84%, respectively. By cradle gate footprint, estimated be 43 kg CO2 eq/kg, $15.8/kg, We applied our reassess role storage (CCS) its performance benchmark (amine-based solvent). Our show electricity produced from CCS system could potentially have better (lower Global Warming Potential (GWP)) than amine-based if sorbent loss less 0.0017 tonne/tonne captured. This work first comprehensive LCA-TEA study quantifies substantial benefits systems produce UiO-66-NH2, this intended starting point for systematic studies on full life-cycle impacts