Metal Organic Framework Adsorbents for Fuel-Cell Relevant Small Molecules

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to utilize 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional Metal Organic Framework (MOF) structures for the selective adsorption of small contaminant molecules from a hydrogen feed stream. These contaminants include carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEM-FC), which are typically fueled by hydrogen, can suffer catalyst poisoning from these contaminants. The variable pore size and the structural versatility of MOFs permit the tailoring of their chemistry to selectively absorb the small molecules of interest. PSI will utilize its library of MOFs, the library of MOFs synthesized by the Yaghi group at the University of Michigan, as well as design and synthesize new MOFs suited absorb each small molecule of interest. The Phase I effort will focus on specializing the transition metal MOF corners for CO adsorption. Transition metals with a range of electronic structures will be explored along with a range of organic segments. On a Phase II program, PSI will scale-up the MOF synthesis and provide an adsorption system to selectively remove multiple small molecule contaminants in hydrogen feedstocks powering a 20W PEM-FC for 72 hours.