Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a groundbreaking class of crystalline nanoporous materials composed of metal ions or clusters (secondary building units) and organic linkers. The highly tunable structure of MOFs, including their pore size, geometry, and surface chemistry, makes them particularly suitable for gas sensing applications, especially in the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a significant concern in environmental monitoring and healthcare, as they contribute to indoor air pollution and are potential markers for various diseases. MOF-based gas sensors have emerged as powerful tools for VOC monitoring due to their unique properties that offer advantages over traditional sensing materials.
Traditional materials for gas sensing, such as polymers, zeolites, and inorganic substances, often face limitations in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, and regeneration. MOFs offer a range of advantages that make them superior for VOC gas monitoring:
• High surface area and porosity: MOFs’ permanent porosity and large surface area allow for the preconcentration of gas molecules, leading to higher sensitivity.
• Tailorable selectivity: The ability to design pore size and geometry, along with the adjustable chemical environment of MOFs, enables selective adsorption of specific VOCs, resulting in improved selectivity.
Main tasks:
• Develop and fabricate MOF-based gas sensors for the detection of VOCs.
• Investigate the performance of different MOF materials, focusing on sensitivity, selectivity, and regeneration capabilities.
• Evaluate the interaction between MOF materials and target VOC gases through experiments and data analysis.
• Compare the performance of MOF-based sensors with the commercial gas sensors in real-world VOC monitoring applications.
Student background:
• A good foundation in materials science, chemistry, or nanotechnology.
• Basic understanding of gas sensing technologies and nanomaterials is preferred.
• Experience in experimental design, sensor fabrication, and data analysis is beneficial.
• Skills in programming (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data interpretation and modeling are advantageous.
Benefits to the student:
• Gain hands-on experience in the development of advanced MOF-based gas sensors for real-world applications.
• Work on cutting-edge research in the field of nanomaterials and sensor technology, contributing to environmental and healthcare monitoring solutions.
• Opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic research team, with potential for publication in leading scientific journals.
• Develop expertise in VOC monitoring and MOF materials, positioning the student at the forefront of next-generation gas sensing technologies.
Reference:
[1]. Koo, Won-Tae, Ji-Soo Jang, and Il-Doo Kim. "Metal-organic frameworks for chemiresistive sensors." Chem 5.8 (2019): 1938-1963.
[2]. Wang, Wei, et al. "Multi-metallic MOF based composites for environmental applications: synergizing metal centers and interactions." Nanoscale Horizons 9.9 (2024): 1432-1474.
[3]. Yuan, Hongye, et al. "Metal‐organic framework based gas sensors." Advanced Science 9.6 (2022): 2104374.
[4]. Peng, Xiaoyan, et al. "Metal–organic framework coated devices for gas sensing." ACS sensors 8.7 (2023): 2471-2492.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a groundbreaking class of crystalline nanoporous materials composed of metal ions or clusters (secondary building units) and organic linkers. The highly tunable structure of MOFs, including their pore size, geometry, and surface chemistry, makes them particularly suitable for gas sensing applications, especially in the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a significant concern in environmental monitoring and healthcare, as they contribute to indoor air pollution and are potential markers for various diseases. MOF-based gas sensors have emerged as powerful tools for VOC monitoring due to their unique properties that offer advantages over traditional sensing materials.
Traditional materials for gas sensing, such as polymers, zeolites, and inorganic substances, often face limitations in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, and regeneration. MOFs offer a range of advantages that make them superior for VOC gas monitoring:
• High surface area and porosity: MOFs’ permanent porosity and large surface area allow for the preconcentration of gas molecules, leading to higher sensitivity.
• Tailorable selectivity: The ability to design pore size and geometry, along with the adjustable chemical environment of MOFs, enables selective adsorption of specific VOCs, resulting in improved selectivity.
Main tasks:
• Develop and fabricate MOF-based gas sensors for the detection of VOCs.
• Investigate the performance of different MOF materials, focusing on sensitivity, selectivity, and regeneration capabilities.
• Evaluate the interaction between MOF materials and target VOC gases through experiments and data analysis.
• Compare the performance of MOF-based sensors with the commercial gas sensors in real-world VOC monitoring applications.
Student background:
• A good foundation in materials science, chemistry, or nanotechnology.
• Basic understanding of gas sensing technologies and nanomaterials is preferred.
• Experience in experimental design, sensor fabrication, and data analysis is beneficial.
• Skills in programming (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data interpretation and modeling are advantageous.
Benefits to the student:
• Gain hands-on experience in the development of advanced MOF-based gas sensors for real-world applications.
• Work on cutting-edge research in the field of nanomaterials and sensor technology, contributing to environmental and healthcare monitoring solutions.
• Opportunity to collaborate with a dynamic research team, with potential for publication in leading scientific journals.
• Develop expertise in VOC monitoring and MOF materials, positioning the student at the forefront of next-generation gas sensing technologies.
Reference:
[1]. Koo, Won-Tae, Ji-Soo Jang, and Il-Doo Kim. "Metal-organic frameworks for chemiresistive sensors." Chem 5.8 (2019): 1938-1963.
[2]. Wang, Wei, et al. "Multi-metallic MOF based composites for environmental applications: synergizing metal centers and interactions." Nanoscale Horizons 9.9 (2024): 1432-1474.
[3]. Yuan, Hongye, et al. "Metal‐organic framework based gas sensors." Advanced Science 9.6 (2022): 2104374.
[4]. Peng, Xiaoyan, et al. "Metal–organic framework coated devices for gas sensing." ACS sensors 8.7 (2023): 2471-2492.
