Chalcopyrite UiO-67 metal-organic framework composite for CO2 fixation as cyclic carbonates

The conversion of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into cyclic carbonates which are, used as green solvents and are considered sustainable substitution to toxic chemicals, can be a competent approach to net zero-emission. This work successfully incorporated Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in UiO-67 (University of Oslo-67) to form a composite Ch@UiO-67 using a solvothermal method. After characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N-2 adsorption isotherm, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Ch@UiO-67 was tested for CO2 uptake and as a catalyst in the cycloaddition reaction of styrene epoxide (SO) with CO2 to produce cyclic carbonates, in comparison to pristine UiO-67. Ch@UiO-67 was found to be more effective as a catalyst than pristine UiO-67. This catalyst was also successful with different aromatic and aliphatic epoxides for cycloaddition with CO2 and was efficiently recycled for seven consecutive cycles without a noticeable deficit in the catalytic activity.

Automated summary

The conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates is an effective approach for green solvents. This study successfully synthesized a composite material Ch@UiO-67 and demonstrated its superior performance in CO2 uptake and catalytic reactions compared to pristine UiO-67. The catalyst was also capable of reacting with different epoxides and maintained its catalytic activity through multiple cycles.