Tunable MOF platform for CO2 capture and catalytic conversion
This technology involves a new class of porous crystalline materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) built around zirconium or hafnium clusters linked by a molecule called cyclam, which can hold a second metal atom (such as copper, nickel, or cobalt) at its core. The resulting structures have extremely high surface areas with chemically active sites that grab CO2 molecules and can transform them into useful products. Depending on which metal is embedded in the cyclam, the material can capture CO2 from gas streams, convert CO2 and industrial byproducts into cyclic carbonates (useful chemical building blocks), reduce CO2 electrochemically or with light into fuels, release nitric oxide for biomedical purposes, or act as an MRI contrast agent. Essentially, one structural platform supports multiple distinct applications by swapping out the inner metal.
What you could build
A licensable MOF material platform for industrial CO2 capture systems or electrochemical CO2-to-chemical conversion reactors, targeted at specialty chemical manufacturers, carbon capture technology developers, or clean energy startups seeking high-performance solid sorbents and catalysts.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based energy companies, DOE-affiliated national lab contractors, and cleantech startups in the Northern Virginia/DC corridor focused on carbon management or specialty catalysis would be natural contacts.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Amanda Morris, Jie Zhu
- Granted
- May 4, 2021
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 10994259
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.