Metal–Organic Framework–Polyacrylonitrile Composite Beads for Xenon Capture

Abstract

Mechanically robust forms of HKUST-1 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were fabricated by embedding the MOF in a passive polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix at different MOF loadings of 10–90 mass%. Here, the PAN is highly porous and acts as a scaffold that holds the active MOF adsorbent in place for Xe capture. Data presented herein show that the PAN matrix does not notably interfere with the Xe capture process where the Xe capacities scale somewhat linearly with the increase in MOF loading in the composites. Radiation testing of the composites under a gamma flux revealed that they are highly tolerant to these types of radiation fields.