Using Modern Solid-State Analytical Tools for Investigations of an Advanced Carbon Capture Material: Experiments for the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
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2016 The American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc. A simple and straightforward synthesis of an ultrastable porous metal-organic framework (MOF) based on copper(II) and a mixed N donor ligand system is described as a laboratory experiment for chemistry undergraduate students. These experiments and the resulting analysis are designed to teach students basic research tools and procedures while emphasizing one of the most challenging environmental issues we are facing as a society: reduction of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, and potential technologies that may achieve this. The described experiments take advantage of modern solid-state analytical tools, such as powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and gas sorption, to characterize the properties of this particular MOF. The adsorption studies, performed volumetrically and gravimetrically, both have simple experimental setups and enable the students to critically interpret and compare their results. Most importantly, students are required to question structure-property relationships in order to arrive at a full understanding of the selective carbon dioxide capture process. All experiments have been successfully performed with upper-level chemistry undergraduates, preparing them for cutting-edge inorganic and material research topics. The experiments and characterization work can be performed in any combination for which the students have proper equipment and access. The lab was also performed with no experimental equipment, using only the supplemental data files.
