(Last update: Feb. 2023)
Summary:
Energy and environment play a key role in modern society. In 2009, EU pledged a 20-20-20 pack to attain by 2020. A GHG emissions reduction goal of 20% below 1990 levels was set, but by 2050, a drop aim of 80-95% is envisioned. Thus, new low-carbon hi-tech solutions, emission policies and a sustainable waste management are top priorities to meet these goals.
Upon this scenario, this proposal seeks novel approaches to current gas adsorption processes, Adsorption technology is very promising due to its benefits (low cost, simple operation, versatile processes, etc) when compared with others like aqueous amine-based chemical absorption offered commercially, highly energy intensive and with equipment rust and absorbent degradation hitches. The proposal aims to contribute to a sustainable low-carbon economy and technology by pursuing 2 goals: i) GHG mitigation and ii) the newest strategies on renewable energy sources, still barely explored, such as biogas to biomethane.
Adsorbents with high performance and capable of capture CO2 or separate it from a biogas or flue gas are vital for the efficiency and reduction of energy consumption of any adsorption separation/capture processes. Thus, the focus in the development of advanced adsorbents is the core of this proposal. The strong link between materials science, physical-chemistry and chemical engineering is quite exciting and feasible due to the synergies and complementarities gathered in the proposal.
Porous solid materials have been emerging as potential adsorbents for CO2 separation and capture applications; the most common are zeolites and carbon materials, but MOFs have arisen as outstanding adsorbents and ideal candidates for these applications. Very currently, carbon-based composites derived from MOFs have drawn increasing attention in the application of gas adsorption and separation.
On the other hand, alternative green solvents for these applications have been used in a variety of industrial requests, due to their nonovolatile, high thermal stability and solvation properties. A fresh new concept considers them as carbon precursors due to their unique features and carbon-rich nature. The structures and properties of the final carbons can be controlled at the molecular level by rational design of those precursors.
At the industrial scale, CO2 separation from gas mixtures by adsorption is highly attractive if the adsorbents available have high capacity and selectivity for CO2 adsorption. Another option that has been deeply explored is the absorption capacity of green solvents. In this proposal, a plan was built to merge the best of these 2 worlds and obtain an advanced hybrid carbon as sorption media that can surpass the performance of the offered adsorbents in industrial processes. Hence, this project will contribute to the sustainable energy production strategies of the 21st century to reduce GHG emissions, namely CO2, which is one of the key aspects of the future energy and environmental policies.
Peer-reviewed Published Articles:
1. Laura M. Esteves, Tiago J. Ferreira, Anastasiia Keba, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Carbon Materials Derived from Cyano-Based IL@ZIF-8 Composites for CO2 Sorption Separation Systems”, accepted in Materials Today Sustainability, 6th Feb., In Press, Journal Pre-proof (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2023.100353.
2. Tiago J. Ferreira, Beatriz A. de Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A.A.C. Esteves, “Biocompatible Ammonium-based Ionic Liquids/ZIF-8 Composites for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Separations”, Sustainable Materials and Technologies, 35, e00558 (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2022.e00558.
3. Ferreira, T.J.; Esteves, L.M.; Esperança, J.M.S.S.; Esteves, I.A.A.C. “Unveiling the Temperature Influence on the Sorptive Behaviour of ZIF-8 Composite Materials Impregnated with [CnMIM][B(CN)4] Ionic Liquids”. Processes, 10, 247 (2022), DOI: 10.3390/pr10020247.
4. Ortiz-Albo, P.; Ferreira, T.J.; Martins, C.F.; Alves, V.; Esteves, I.A.A.C.; Cunha-Silva, L.; Kumakiri, I.; Crespo, J.; Neves, L.A. “Impact of Ionic Liquid Structure and Loading on Gas Sorption and Permeation for ZIF-8-Based Composites and Mixed Matrix Membranes”. Membranes, 12, 13 (2021), DOI: 10.3390/ membranes12010013.
5. Inês C. Ferreira, Tiago J. Ferreira, André D.S. Barbosa, Baltazar de Castro, Rui P.P.L. Ribeiro, Vítor D. Alves, Luís Cunha-Silva, Isabel A.A.C. Esteves, Luísa A. Neves, “Cr-based MOF/IL composites as fillers in mixed matrix membranes for CO2 separation”, Separation and Purification Technology, 276, 119303 (2021), DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119303.
6. Ferreira Tiago J., Vera Ana T., de Moura Beatriz A., Esteves Laura M., Tariq Mohammad, Esperança José M. S. S., Esteves Isabel A. A. C., “Paramagnetic Ionic Liquid/Metal Organic Framework Composites for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Separations”, Frontiers in Chemistry, 8, 1087 (2020), DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.590191
7. T. J. Ferreira, R. P. P. L. Ribeiro, J. P. B. Mota, L. P. N. Rebelo, J. M. S. S. Esperança and I. A.A.C. Esteves, Ionic Liquid-Impregnated Metal−Organic Frameworks for CO2/CH4 Separation, ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2, 12, 7933-7950 (2019), DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.9b01936.
8. André Mão de Ferro, Patrícia M. Reis, Adilson A. Freitas, José N. Canongia Lopes, Luís Paulo N. Rebelo, Karina Shimizu, and José M. S. S. Esperança, Evidences for a Null Molar Volume Contribution by Hydroxyl Groups in Ammonium Bistriflimide-Based Ionic Liquids, Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, 64 (11) (2019), 4932-4945, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jced.9b00442.
9. Rui P.P.L. Ribeiro, Christine L. Antunes, Aiala U. Garate, André F. Portela, Marta G. Plaza, José P.B. Mota, Isabel A.A.C. Esteves, Binderless shaped metal-organic framework particles: Impact on carbon dioxide adsorption, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 275, February 2019, 111-121 (2019), DOI:10.1016/j.micromeso.2018.08.002.
Dissertations (Master's, PhD and ERASMUS):
1. PhD Dissertation (ongoing) - Thiago O. Carvalho - From Biomass Wastes to 3D Printed Adsorbents – Designing New Materials for Gas Capture and Separation - Doctoral Programme of Sustainable Chemistry, FCT/UNL, Lisbon, Portugal, 2021-present.
2. PhD Dissertation (ongoing) - Tiago Jorge Ferreira - Hybrid Ionic Liquid/Metal Organic Framework Materials for Gas Separation – A New Promising Tuneable Media for Gas Adsorption Applications - Doctoral Programme of Sustainable Chemistry, FCT/UNL, Lisbon, Portugal, 2018- present.
3. Catarina Cabral, Applied Chemistry final course project, Development of IL @ MOF Composites for Gas Separation, FCT/UNL, 2021.
4. Daniel Galrito, Applied Chemistry final course project, Development of IL @ MOF Composites for Gas Separation, FCT/UNL, 2021.
5. Anastasiia Keba, Topical IL@MOF-based (ad)sorbents for Gas Separation, Master's Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2021), http://hdl.handle.net/10362/135999.
6. Ana Torres Vera, Hybrid Ionic Liquids/Metal Organic Frameworks, Spanish (Madrid) ) Erasmus Dissertation Project, FCT/UNL, 2018.
7. Beatriz Quaresma Chaves Alves de Moura, Hybrid Ionic Liquids/Metal Organic Frameworks for CO2/CH4 separations, Master's Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2018), http://hdl.handle.net/10362/49844.
Prior Dissertations (Master's, PhD and ERASMUS) that originated project CMILE:
1. Tiago J. Ferreira, Hybrid Ionic Liquids/Metal Organic Frameworks for CO2/CH4 Separation, Master's Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2017), FCT/UNL, http://hdl.handle.net/10362/24510.
2. Pedro J.C. Vieira Melo, 3D Printed Adsorbent Materials - A tool for climate change mitigation?, Master´s Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2017), FCT/UNL, http://hdl.handle.net/10362/24748.
3. Olga E. Sulim, Formulation of New 3D Printed Porous Media for Gas Adsorption Application, Master's Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2016), FCT/UNL, http://hdl.handle.net/10362/29111.
4. Christine L. Antunes, Adsorbent Particle Design for Application in Gas Adsorption Processes, Master's Dissertation in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry (2016), FCT/UNL, http://hdl.handle.net/10362/35809.
5. Aiala Urbegain Garate, Adsorbent Particle Design for Application in Gas Adsorption Processes, Spanish (Basque Country) Erasmus Dissertation Project, FCT/UNL, 2016.
Oral/Poster Communications:
1. Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana T. Vera, Beatriz A. Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, Mohammad Tariq, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Structure of Ionic Liquids and its Impact in the Sorption Capacity and Selectivity Performance of IL@MOF Materials”, oral paper. Young Investigator Symposium of the 8th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Open Framework Compounds (MOF2022 YIS), Dresden, Germany, 2-3rd Sept. 2022.
2. Tiago J. Ferreira, Beatriz A. Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Structure of Ionic Liquids and its Impact in the Sorption Capacity and Selectivity Performance of IL@MOF Materials”, oral paper. 8th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Open Framework Compounds (MOF2022), Dresden, Germany, 4-7th Sept. 2022.
3. Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana T. Vera, Beatriz A. Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, Mohammad Tariq, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Cation and Anion Effects in IL@MOF Materials: Impact on Sorbent Properties”, poster paper. 8th International Conference on Metal-Organic Frameworks and Open Framework Compounds (MOF2022), Dresden, Germany, 4-7th Sept. 2022.
4. Tiago J. Ferreira, Beatriz A. Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Impact of the Ionic Liquids’ Structures in the Sorption Capacity and Selectivity Performance of IL@MOF Materials”, oral paper. 28th EUCHEM Conference on Molten Salts and Ionic Liquids (Euchemsil), Patras, Greece, 5-10th June 2022.
5. Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana T. Vera, Beatriz A. Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, M. Tariq, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, "Impact of the Ionic Liquids’ Structures in the Sorption Capacity and Selectivity Performance of IL@MOF Materials", oral paper, 6th Iberoamerican Meeting on Ionic Liquids (IMIL 2021), Santiago, Chile, 24-26 Maio, 2021 (online).
6. Laura M. Esteves, Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana V. Torres, Beatriz A. de Moura, Mohammad Tariq, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Paramagnetic Ionic Liquid/ZIF-8 Composites – MagIL@ZIF-8 - for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Separations”, oral paper, 7th Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting (7PYCHEM7), Bragança, Portugal, 19-21 maio, 2021 (online).
7. Tiago J. Ferreira, Beatriz. A. de Moura, Laura M. Esteves, Thiago O. Carvalho, Patrícia M. Reis, José M. S. S. Esperança, Isabel A. A. C. Esteves, “Composite Metal Organic Framework/Ammonium-based Ionic Liquids for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Separations”, oral paper, 7th Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting (7PYCHEM7), Bragança, Portugal, 19-21 maio, 2021 (online).
8. Paloma Ortiz-Albo, Carla Martins, Tiago Ferreira, Isabel Esteves, Luis Cunha e Silva, Hiromitsu Takaba, Izumi Kumakiri, Joao Crespo, Luisa Neves, Selective CO2 separation from biogas and flue gas with ionic liquid - MOF mixed matrix membranes, oral paper, 12th International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM 2020), Online – Live and on-demand | 7-11 December 2020 GMT.
9. Ortiz-Albo P., Ferreira T., Esteves I., Cunha e Silva L., Takaba H., Crespo J., Kumakiri I., Neves L., Selective CO2 separation from biogas and flue gas with ionic liquid MOF mixed matrix membranes, oral paper, SCEJ 85th Annual Meeting, 15 - 17th March 2020, Osaka (Japan). Cancelled due to pandemic COVID-19 lockdown.
10. T. J. Ferreira, B.Q.C.A. Moura, R.P.P.L. Ribeiro, J.P.B. Mota, L.P.N. Rebelo, J.M.S.S. Esperança and I.A.A.C. Esteves, Hybrid IL@MOFs Materials for Gas Separation, oral paper, Materials 2019 Conference, 14-17th April 2019, Lisbon, Portugal.
Oral/Poster Communications that originated project CMILE:
1. T. J. Ferreira, A.T. Vera, B.Q.C.A. Moura, R.P.P.L. Ribeiro, J.P.B. Mota, L.P.N. Rebelo, J.M.S.S. Esperança and I.A.A.C. Esteves, Hybrid IL@MOFs Materials for Gas Separation, oral paper, 27th EuCheMS Conference on Molten Salts and Ionic Liquids EuCheMSIL 2018, 7-12 Oct. 2018, Lisbon, Portugal.
2. Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana T. Vera, Beatriz Q.C.A Moura, Rui P.P.L. Ribeiro, José P.B. Mota, Luís P.N. Rebelo, José M.S.S. Esperança, Isabel A.A.C. Esteves, Hybrid Ionic Liquids/Metal Organic Frameworks – IL@MOFs - for CO2/CH4 Gas Separation, oral paper, 41st Iberian Adsorption Meeting (41 RIA 2018), 5-7th Sept. 2018, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
3. R.P.P.L. Ribeiro, C.I. Antunes, A.U. Garate, A.F. Portela, M.G. Plaza, J.P.B. Mota, I.A.A.C. Esteves, Binderless Shaped Metal-Organic Framework Particles, poster paper P-RS27, session of Reaction and Separation Processes, 13th INT. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE (CHEMPOR 2018), 2-4th July 2018, Aveiro, Portugal.
4. Tiago J. Ferreira, Ana. T. Vera, Beatriz Q.C.A Moura, Rui P.P.L. Ribeiro, José P.B. Mota, Luís P. Rebelo, José M.S.S. Esperança, Isabel A.A.C. Esteves, Hybrid IL@MOFs Materials for Gas Separation, oral paper O-IM03, session of Innovative Materials and Applications, 13th INT. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE (CHEMPOR 2018), 2-4th July 2018, Aveiro, Portugal.
5. Olga Sulim, Rui Ribeiro, Isabel Esteves, Christine Antunes, Aiala Garate, Paulo Duarte, Isabel Ferreira, José Mota, and Marta Plaza, "Design of structured adsorbents for aplications in gas adsorption processes - Conventional shaping vs 3D-Printed formulation" in "Separations Technology IX: New Frontiers in Media, Techniques, and Technologies", Kamalesh K. Sirkar, New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA Steven M. Crame, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA João G. Crespo, LAQV-Requimte, FCT-Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal Marco Mazzotti, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2017). http://dc.engconfintl.org/separations_technology_ix/8
6. C. L. Antunes, A. U. Garate, M. G. Plaza, R. P. P. L. Ribeiro, I. A. A. C. Esteves, José P. B. Mota, “Adsorbent Particle Design for Application in Gas Adsorption Processes”, poster, 40ª REUNIÃO IBÉRICA DE ADSORÇÃO (RIA 2016), 5-7th Sept. 2016, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal.
Grantees and PhD Contracts:
1. Laura M. Esteves, PhD Fellow (PTDC/CTM-CTM/30326/2017 - CMILE), FCT/UNL, 2019/2022.
2. Thiago O. Carvalho, Master Fellow (PTDC/CTM-CTM/30326/2017 - CMILE), 2020/2021 and PhD student (FCT/MEC ), FCT/UNL, 2021-present.
3. Joana Pais, PhD Fellow (PTDC/CTM-CTM/30326/2017 - CMILE), FCT/UNL, 2022.