HKUST-1 Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticle/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Aerogels for CO₂ and CH₄ Adsorption and Separation

The development of nanostructured composites made metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and graphene-based components, including exfoliated nanoplates graphene oxide (GO) or reduced (rGO) oxide, is an area great interest in gas storage separation. To improve the industrial viability, it commonly demanded to build these nanocomposites with shape compact units, such as monoliths, foams, pellets, films. Methods generate those 3D involving rGO are abundant; however, they become scarce when GO desired support due difficulty maintaining carbon matrix oxidized during structuration process. In this work, a methodology based on use supercritical CO2 (scCO2) described for synthesis discontinuous MOF phase, e.g. nanoparticles (NPs) HKUST-1, decorating surface continuous matrix, oxygen groups favoring attachment. new allows nanostructuration composite form aerogels while avoiding reduction GO. Enhanced values textural properties, determined by low-temperature N2 adsorption–desorption, were observed comparison calculated similar physical mixtures, highlighting increase 40–45% value samples high percentage HKUST-1. Moreover, aerogels, displaying type II isotherm, outperform pristine HKUST-1 regard CH4 practical working capacity at pressure. Particularly, exhibiting more than 2-fold net NPs was obtained. Columns aerogel stationary phase used study separation N2/CO2 CH4/CO2 mixtures. results showed selectivity HKUST-1@GO CO2, breakthrough times ca. 20 min g–1 stable cyclic operations.