Hierarchically structured polymer-MOF sorbents for organic acid purification

Overview

The hierarchically structured polymer-MOF sorbents offer a cutting-edge solution for the purification of organic acids. By engineering composite sorbents that integrate reactive polysulfone-based polymers with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), this technology achieves controlled sorbate-sorbent interactions at molecular and nanostructural levels. This results in the effective purification of organic acids from fermentation broths, leveraging varied interaction mechanisms including coordination bonding, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatics. The innovative use of adsorptive membranes significantly reduces solute binding time, enhancing capture efficiency and enabling systematic purification.

Technical specifications

• Reactive polysulfone-based polymers: Transformed into nanostructured substrates using traditional membrane manufacturing techniques.
• MOF integration: In-situ growth of MOFs with tailored affinities for organic acids onto the substrates, allowing precise tuning of microporous environments.
• Rapid mass transfer: Utilizes adsorptive membranes to facilitate faster solute binding compared to traditional packed beds.
• Selective capture: Systematically designed micropore size and environment for effective selective capture of small organic acids.

Technology readiness level

This technology is currently at TRL 3, indicating that experimental proof of concept has been demonstrated. The research team plans to conduct further validation through batch experiments to establish equilibrium isotherms and demonstrate long-term separation performance, including acid recovery and sorbent reuse.