Applied Porous Materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials that have the highest surface area of all known materials and selective absorptivity. That makes them ideal for for their potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis, sensing and releasing of small molecules, including carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and other volatile organic compounds.

A unique capability portfolio has been developed to study the fundamental science of MOFs including world-class capability in assessing material performance, processing, prototype development, technology transfer and scaling up.

The availability of scalable synthesis methods is a significant challenge for the translation of MOFs into industry. Over the last decade, CSIRO has met this challenge through the development of scalable continuous flow methods for the synthesis and manufacture of multi-kilogram per day production of MOFs. The process is efficient delivering a range of MOFs with surface areas that consistently match those reported from laboratory scale synthesis and high space time yields. CSIRO’s MOF production process uses propriety downstream processing that ultimately produces MOFs in a variety of palletised formats and geometries.

News

Limitless Applications

CSIRO leading the charge to find a way to make MOFs commercially viable.

Crystal Clear Water

Cara Doherty uses antimatter –positrons – and synchrotron light to measure MOF crystals and their properties.

From the ocean to our glass: sucking the salt from the sea

A just released paper found that membranes made out of MOFs can mimic cells and allow specific atoms or molecules through to help them grow and survive, while stopping everything else.

How we’re helping the navy with its snorting problem

With QinetiQ, we are working on a better way to remove carbon dioxide from a sub’s atmosphere, and at the centre of it are MOFs.

Using our cutting edge materials science to protect Australian soldiers

Our project with the ADF will see us develop a special broad spectrum filter canister that will work with ADF issued respirators and keep Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen safe.