Metal-organic framework synthesis for electrochemical applications

• Main Author: Goh, Justin Shang Da
• Other Authors: Alex Yan Qingyu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Materials::Material testing and characterization
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/156355
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been continuously studied due to their potential in a wide range of applications such as energy storage, catalysis and membrane technology. Their highly effective surface areas and tunable structures give them the advantage over traditional catalysts as they can be adapted to suit the needs of specific applications. This project will focus on the synthesis and modifications of MOFs in the area of catalysis, specifically the electrocatalysis of Nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Hence, the characterisation of the MOFs will play a big part in this project. Various characterisation techniques such as porosity analysis by N2 adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) will be employed to compare the modified MOFs with the original standard MOFs in order to (i) evaluate the effects of the modification and (ii) to investigate the properties such as the porosities, thermal stability, chemical structure and composition of MOFs. The modified MOFs will be then be tested for their effectiveness in the electrocatalysis of the NRR. The MOFs modified with ionic liquid has been successfully synthesized and its performance as an electrocatalysts has been tested. Based on the results, it is found that the BET surface area and pore volume will decrease after ionic implantation. The decomposition temperature of the modified MOF is lower than the original MOF, indicating a decrease in thermal stability. From the FTIR profile, the original and modified MOFs have similar peaks, showing that the original bonds were not destroyed. There were also additional peaks that might be caused by the new bond formation between the ionic liquid and the MOF. Lastly, It is observed that there is performance improvement of the modified MOFs for the electrocatalysis of NRR, due to the higher yield of NH3 produced.