Amine-functionalized metal–organic frameworks: structure, synthesis and applications

Abstract

We present a review on some recent studies on the syntheses, structures and properties of amine-functionalized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and highlight the benefits of amino functionality towards potential applications. Owing to the strong interaction between CO₂ and basic amino functionalities, amine-functionalized MOFs have attracted much attention mainly for CO₂ capture. Besides the most widely used in situ synthesis method, post-modification and physical impregnation methods are developed to prepare amine-functionalized MOFs with extremely high CO₂ sorption capacity at low pressures. On the basis of the similar mechanism, amine-functionalized MOF-based membranes, including pure amine-functionalized MOF membranes and mixed matrix membranes, exhibit excellent CO₂/H₂, CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ separation performance. Furthermore, amine-functionalized MOFs also demonstrate potential applications in catalysis.