Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen in Co3(ndc)3(dabco) Metal–Organic Framework

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for processes such as carbon dioxide (CO2) capture or its storage. In this work, the adsorption of CO2 and nitrogen (N2) in Co3(ndc)3(dabco) MOF (ndc: 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate; dabco: 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) is reported for the first time over the temperature range of 273–323 K and up to 35 bar. The adsorption isotherms are successfully described using the Langmuir isotherm model. The heats of adsorption for CO2 and N2, determined through the Clausius–Clapeyron equation, are 20–27 kJ/mol and 10–11 kJ/mol, respectively. The impact of using pressure and/or temperature swings on the CO2 working capacity is evaluated. If a flue gas with 15% CO2 is fed at 6 bar and 303 K and regenerated at 1 bar and 373 K, 1.58 moles of CO2 can be captured per kg of MOF. The analysis of the multicomponent adsorption of typical flue gas streams (15% CO2 balanced with N2), using the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST), shows that at 1 bar and 303 K, the CO2/N2 selectivity is 11.5. In summary, this work reports essential data for the design of adsorption-based processes for CO2 capture using a Co3(ndc)3(dabco) MOF, such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA).