A porous material with unique CO2 retention properties has been developed by scientists at the University of Nottingham, England. This breakthrough forms part of ongoing efforts to develop new carbon capture techniques for reducing fossil fuel emissions.
The metal organic framework of NOTT-202a, which has a novel honeycomb-like structure, represents an entirely new class of porous material. It consists of two interlocked frameworks, made from a series of molecules or ions bound to a central metal atom — and filled with indium metal centres.
Most importantly, it allows selective adsorption of carbon dioxide — while other gases such as nitrogen, methane and hydrogen can pass back through, the carbon dioxide remains trapped in the nanopores, even at low temperatures.
