Methane and Hydrogen Storage with Porous Cage-Based Composite Materials

Recipient University of Delaware (PI: Eric Bloch)

Abstract The objective of the project is to improve the volumetric methane and/or hydrogen storage capacities of MOFs via a comprehensive, system-level program in which the interparticle void space that is detrimental to capacity is minimized through optimized particle engineering. In addition to this, we will utilize porous molecular materials toward composite MOF/cage adsorbents. Here, the intercrystalline void space of MOF samples will be filled with porous molecular materials with optimized H2 and/or CH4 uptake. Importantly, this strategy will not only be applicable across all MOFs, it can be used for all classes of porous solids, as even the best MOFs display capacities that are less than half of target storage values and significant advances in material design and discovery are needed to double their capacities. Rather, we will focus on the optimization of adsorption properties of existing framework materials. The composite material approach we are proposing will be compatible with any new material with interesting adsorption properties.