Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), are coordination polymers with a hybrid inorganic-organic framework comprising metal ions and organic ligands coordinated to said metal ions.

These materials are organized as mono-, bi- or tri-dimensional networks wherein the metal clusters are linked to each other by spacing ligands periodically. These materials have a crystalline structure and are generally porous.

In the present work, the research team has developed porous metal-organic framework as a nitrogen-oxide “deNOx” catalyst. This constitutes a major advance in this area as it offers the enormous advantage of removing and converting NOx from a liquid or gaseous effluent even at room temperature and in the absence of reducing species. This overcomes all the problems and drawbacks of the prior art.

The increased mobility throughout the world unfortunately has an impact on the environment and on health.
The main pollutants emitted are oxides of carbon (CO and CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), unburnt hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. This last term essentially comprises nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), together with smaller amounts of nitrous oxide (N20), dinitrogen trioxide (N203) and dinitrogen tetroxide (N204).

Although much effort has been expended for removing these pollutants, using systems for reduction of NOx at the sources of emission (vehicles, smokestacks, etc.), increasing concentrations of nitrogen oxides are being recorded in cities.

Various strategies have been adopted for tackling these problems, but to date, no technology is able to offer a proper response to this problem.

The present invention aims at answering each of this problem.

Development stage

• DeNox absorption and catalysis with invention’s MOF have been successfully demonstrated on a laboratory scale.

Pending patents

02582-01

Scope: metal-organic frameworks for deNOx catalysis
Priority application: French patent application FR0902587 filed on May 28, 2009 and entitled « Utilisation d’un solide hybride cristallin poreux comme catalyseur de réduction d’oxydes d’azote et dispositifs »
Extensions in United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, China, South Korea

For further information, please contact us (Ref 02582-01)