Functionalized Zeolitic Frameworks for Gas Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current zeolites struggle to incorporate transition metal ions and organic units within their pores as an integral part of the framework, limiting their catalytic applications due to small pore sizes and lack of tailored electronic and steric properties.

Innovation Solution

Development of zeolitic frameworks with interpenetrating structures and imidazolate linkages, allowing for the incorporation of transition metals and organic units, resulting in high surface area, porosity, and chemical stability, enabling efficient catalysis and gas storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional zeolite structures are used, then chemical stability is maintained, but pore size remains small and transition metal incorporation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepore sizeVSAvoidtransition metal incorporation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite zeolitic frameworks that combine inorganic SiO4 tetrahedra with organic linking moieties and transition metal ions. This composite structure allows the material to achieve larger pore volumes while incorporating transition metals as integral framework components, resolving the contradiction between maintaining chemical stability and enabling metal incorporation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces functionalized organic linking moieties at specific locations within the zeolite framework to create localized regions with tailored properties. This allows transition metal ions to be incorporated at specific sites within the pores, enabling local customization of electronic and steric properties without compromising the overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If transition metal ions are incorporated into zeolite framework, then catalytic activity is improved, but structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transition metal ions with the zeolite framework through coordination bonds with organic linking moieties, creating an integrated structure where the metal ions are not merely embedded but are integral components. This merging allows catalytic activity to be enhanced while the overall framework integrity is maintained through the cooperative network of inorganic and organic elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If organic units are incorporated within zeolite pores, then functional versatility is improved, but synthesis complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidsynthesis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs organic linking moieties that are pre-functionalized with specific groups before being incorporated into the zeolite framework. This preliminary functionalization allows the organic units to be integrated in a controlled manner, enabling functional versatility to be achieved while managing synthesis complexity through pre-designed building blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The zeolitic frameworks exhibit exceptional chemical stability and high porosity, outperforming traditional zeolites and MOFs, with applications in catalysis, gas storage, and sensors, and demonstrate rich structural diversity.

Implementation Method 1

a network of homogenous or heterogeneous transition metals linked by a homogenous or heterogeneous linking moiety

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Some zeolitic frameworks of the invention can be used to adsorbed chemical species (e.g., ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, amines, methane, oxygen, argon, nitrogen)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP1988996B1Preparation of functionalized zeolitic frameworks
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA
  • EP1988996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1988996B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP1988996B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The disclosure provides zeolitic frameworks for gas separation, gas storage, catalysis and sensors. More particularly the disclosure provides zeolitic frameworks (ZIFs) The ZIF of the disclosure comprises any number of transition metals or a homogenous transition metal composition.