Titanium-organic framework membranes for CO2 capture

Project Information

PORECAPTURE

Grant agreement ID: 101113106

DOI

10.3030/101113106

Project closed

EC signature date 6 June 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 31 March 2025

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PORECAPTURE (Titanium-organic framework membranes for CO2 capture)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Climate change mitigation requires immediate and scalable solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among these, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are considered essential to achieving the emission reduction targets outlined in the Paris Agreement. However, current industrial CO2 capture methods, such as amine scrubbing, are energy intensive, corrosive, and economically unsustainable in the long term. Membrane-based separation offers an energy-efficient and modular alternative, yet conventional polymer membranes often suffer from low selectivity and plasticization issues under realistic operating conditions. In recent years, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising solution, combining the processability of polymers with the tunable adsorption properties of MOFs.

PORECAPTURE was conceived to bridge the gap between academic discovery and market-oriented development by validating the commercial feasibility of a family of titanium-organic frameworks (MUV-10 and 101) for CO2 capture applications. These materials were originally developed under the ERC Starting Grant Chem-fs-MOF, and are characterized by high chemical stability, selective CO2 uptake, and scalable synthesis routes. The overarching objective of PORECAPTURE was to advance these materials from TRL3 to TRL5 by optimizing their production at the kilogram scale, integrating them into membrane configurations, and evaluating their performance under conditions relevant to industrial CCS processes. By doing so, the project aimed to lay the foundations for their future deployment in decarbonization strategies and to explore their potential impact on circular economy objectives.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

PORECAPTURE was structured around four technical work packages focused on the scale-up of titanium-based MOFs, their integration into functional formats for CO2 capture, and the validation of their performance under realistic conditions.

We successfully scaled up the synthesis of MUV-10 and MUV-101 (MUV = Materials Universitat de València) families to the kilogram scale using batch reactors. The process was optimized to reduce the use of toxic solvents such as DMF by more than 70%, while preserving the physicochemical properties of the lab-scale materials. In parallel, we developed a continuous flow synthesis route for MUV-10, demonstrating its potential for implementation in scalable manufacturing processes.

The original plan involved incorporating these materials into mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). However, both internal and external evaluations revealed poor compatibility between the MOF particles and polymer matrices, primarily due to aggregation and interfacial voids that degraded membrane performance. Consequently, the strategy was redirected toward the densification of the MOFs into monolithic structures. This alternative format retains the intrinsic adsorption properties of the materials while improving their mechanical robustness and processability. A method for producing dense, mechanically stable monoliths was successfully developed, and both the formulation and synthesis procedures are currently undergoing patent protection.

Following this redirection, the project shifted focus from membrane integration to assessing the broader technological potential of these scalable MOFs. Two new application areas were explored in collaboration with industrial partners under NDA agreements: photothermal hydrogen generation from ammonia cracking and CO2-to-CO conversion via the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction.

Overall, PORECAPTURE has delivered:
• A validated and reproducible method for the kilogram-scale production of titanium MOFs.
• A robust densification strategy enabling the industrial deployment of these materials.
• Preliminary validation in two high-impact application areas: CO2 conversion and hydrogen generation.
• One patent application and a registered trade secret protecting the developed technologies.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PORECAPTURE has advanced titanium-organic frameworks beyond the laboratory setting by demonstrating that these materials can be produced at the kilogram scale with reduced environmental impact and competitive production costs. This represents a significant step forward compared to the current state of the art, where most MOFs remain confined to academic synthesis due to poor scalability and high costs associated with toxic solvents and complex processing. Our materials combine high hydrolytic stability, tunable adsorption properties, and formulation versatility, making them strong candidates for deployment in CO2-related applications.

A key breakthrough was the development of a densification strategy to transform MOF powders into monolithic structures. This format preserves their porosity and functionality while overcoming limitations associated with powder handling and membrane compatibility. Such monoliths are particularly attractive for industrial applications requiring mechanical robustness, pressure drop minimization, and ease of integration in fixed-bed reactors.
The project has also opened new application fronts beyond carbon capture, namely in hydrogen generation and CO2-to-CO conversion, where promising preliminary results have been obtained in collaboration with industrial partners. These outcomes suggest that titanium MOFs can contribute to broader decarbonization and circular economy goals, such as sustainable fuel production and CO2 utilization.

To ensure further uptake and success, several needs must be addressed:
• Pilot-scale demonstration of the most promising application (e.g. RWGS or NH₃ cracking) in collaboration with an industrial partner.
• Access to market-oriented funding, such as an EIC Transition grant, to develop a tailored business model and validate the technology under industrial conditions.
• Support for IP management and licensing, as current results are covered by one patent application and one registered trade secret.
• Regulatory and standardization frameworks, especially for materials used in catalytic or energy systems, to facilitate qualification and certification processes.

At the end of the project, PORECAPTURE has delivered:
• A validated and reproducible synthesis route for kilogram-scale production of Ti-MOFs with reduced environmental footprint.
• A monolith fabrication protocol compatible with industrial use and currently under IP protection.
• Experimental evidence of high performance in two distinct reaction contexts (RWGS and ammonia cracking).
• An early early-stage business development for commercialization through the spin-off Porous Materials in Action, S. L.