Spray technique inspired fabrication of metal-organic framework/aerogel composite for catalytic CO2 cycloaddition

Abstract

Growing metal–organic framework (MOF) on the appropriate porous matrix can effectively circumvent its poor processability and recyclability owing to its powder state by providing more exposed area and enhanced stability. A feasible and efficient spray technique was applied to prepare five kinds of MOF/aerogel composites by spraying the MOF precursor droplet sequentially onto the aerogel, including carboxylate-based MOF/aerogel composites and azolate-based MOF/aerogel composites. The sprayed precursor droplets render MOF growth concentrated on the aerogel walls with resulting continuous and homogeneous MOF film, and avoid the waste of precursor solution, which is scalable with industrial potential. MOF/aerogel composites integrates the porous nature of aerogels with excellent mass transfer property and MOF film grown on aerogel walls with more active sites, which exhibit excellent catalytic activity and stability in CO2 cycloaddition.