• Von Solms, Nicolas
• Pandey, Jyoti Shanker

Abstract

Recent research on the role of nanomaterials in gas hydrate science and afew review papers have highlighted the positive synergies between gashydrates and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for gas separation andstorage. Metal–organic frameworks consist of metal nodes and organiclinkers connected by coordination bonds to form programmable modularstructures that are symmetric and have tunable properties. Metal–organicframeworks, also known as microporous or nanoporous materials, provide alarge pore volume and surface area suitable for capturing, separatingand storing gases through physisorption mechanisms. However, water andwater interactions within the nanopores, open metal sites, coordinationbonds and surface make metal–organic framework usage in water-basedtechnologies an exciting research topic. Water-based gas hydratetechnology could be potential technology that can take advantage of MOFtunable properties, such as a large surface area and a high pore volume,to improve its efficiency and formation mechanism. For the authors ofthis review, the synergy of MOFs and gas hydrates resembles a Pandora’sbox of unanswered questions and revelations. Therefore, this reviewexamines the current state of the art, including present research on gasstorage and separation using gas hydrates in the presence of a MOF. Inaddition, critical technical aspects, such as the water stability ofMOFs, the nano confinement effect and water properties in the nanopores,are presented to stimulate critical thinking among scientists inhydrate research to fully exploit the synergies between MOFs andhydrates. This review ends with the authors’ opinion on potentialresearch areas, unanswered questions and practical implications andprospects.

Topics

• pore
• surface
• phase