HKUST‑1 Synthesis in PET Track-Etched Membranes via Conversion of Deposited Cu for Carbon Dioxide Capture

Abstract

Climate change remains one of the most critical global challenges, largely driven by the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels. Effective strategies for capturing and utilizing CO2 are crucial to mitigate its environmental impact. Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs), particularly HKUST-1 (MOF-199), are promising materials due to their high surface area, porosity, and tunable properties. In this study, HKUST-1 was successfully immobilized on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tracketched membranes, leveraging the membranes’ well-defined porosity and chemical stability. Membrane characterization via SEM revealed uniform coverage of octahedral HKUST-1 crystals with sizes ranging from 0.15 μm (inside the pores) to 1.5−5 μm (on the surface of the membrane). BET analysis of the PET TeMs-HKUST-1 composite membrane indicated a specific surface area of up to 382 m2 /g. XRD confirmed the crystallinity of the HKUST-1 structure. The composite membranes exhibited CO2 sorption capabilities, with an adsorption capacity of 0.53 ± 0.03 mmol/g (after 1 h of adsorption) in the first cycle for the solvothermal method and 0.31 ± 0.02 mmol/g (after 1 h of adsorption) for the solvoshaker method. Durability tests demonstrated a stable performance over 12 adsorption− desorption cycles. These results highlight the potential of PET TeMs-HKUST-1 composite membranes for scalable and efficient CO2 capture, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions for addressing climate change.