Six MOF formula families and multiple organometallic complex classes targeting CO₂ capture across power generation, cement, steel, refinery, and direct air capture — with built-in CO₂ conversion capability.
Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas driving climate change. Despite decades of awareness, atmospheric CO₂ levels continue rising — because existing capture technologies are expensive, energy-intensive, and not selective enough for real industrial deployment. MOFs change that equation fundamentally.
MOFs combine properties that no single competing material class achieves simultaneously — making them the only realistic path to cost-effective, selective, regenerable industrial carbon capture at scale.
The CWY003 patent covers six distinct MOF and organometallic complex formula families, each optimised for different CO₂ concentrations, temperatures, and industrial environments. They can be deployed individually or in combination.
Zeolite-like sodalite topology with ~145° M-Im-M bond angle. Exceptionally high thermal (>400°C) and chemical stability. Pore aperture ~3.4 Å provides kinetic CO₂/N₂ selectivity. ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 are flagship examples with outstanding regenerability over multiple adsorption cycles. 11 imidazolate ligand variants in scope — from 1H-imidazole to pentamethylbenzimidazole.
–NH₂ groups on the linker act as Lewis basic sites, forming acid-base interactions with CO₂ (Lewis acid). CO₂ capacity ~3–4 mmol/g; ~13% better than unfunctionalised UiO-66 at 25°C, 1 bar. Particularly effective for low-concentration CO₂ environments such as flue gas (<15%). 18 amino-functionalised ligand variants including aminoterephthalic acids, aminopyrene, and tricarboxylic acids.
Highest CO₂ capacity of any MOF family at low pressures, driven by unsaturated Lewis acid metal sites in 1D hexagonal honeycomb channels. Lewis acidity order: Zn < Ni < Co < Mn. Mg-MOF-74 shows the strongest CO₂ affinity. 19 hydroxylated ligand variants including naphthylene and pyrene-based linkers for extended pore architecture. Ideal for pre-combustion and enhanced oil recovery.
Two metal ions incorporated in a single framework, combining complementary properties: varied pore sizes, enhanced CO₂ affinity, improved structural stability. Composition parameter x tunable between 0 and 1 to optimise selectivity for specific industrial gas streams. 22 linker variants including BDC, BDC-NH₂, BTC, NDC, and biphenyl/terphenyl carboxylates. Supports CO₂/CH₄ separation for natural gas processing.
Molecular complexes that chemically bind and activate CO₂ for conversion into value-added products. Key families: M(OEP) porphyrins (Sc, Zn, Fe, Mn, Zr, Co), Re/Mn bipyridyl carbonyls for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, Pd-phosphine complexes for reversible CO₂ uptake, and Pt(dmpe) for selective binding. Metalloporphyrins mimic natural carbonic anhydrase enzymes. Catalytic conversion to methanol, formate, urea, and cyclic carbonates.
NHC ligands are strong σ-donors that stabilise metal centres in unusual oxidation states, dramatically enhancing CO₂ activation via metal-CO₂ intermediate formation. Five NHC complex classes covered: free NHC, bis(NHC)-borylene, NHC-Cu catalyst, NHC-pyridine-Mo(II), and benzimidazole NHC-Ag. Particularly effective for high-temperature industrial processes (cement calcination, glass manufacturing, steel blast furnaces) where conventional solvents degrade.
The Viva Bio MOF platform integrates across all four stages of the carbon capture and storage value chain — and uniquely adds a fifth stage: CO₂ utilisation and conversion to valuable products.
CO₂ selectively adsorbed from industrial flue gas, exhaust, or ambient air. PSA at high pressure or TSA at low temperature. MOF selectivity: CO₂/N₂ >20:1 in ZIF systems.
Pressure release (PSA) or mild heating (TSA) releases CO₂ from MOF. Low heat of adsorption means significantly less energy than amine scrubbing. MOF reused across hundreds of cycles.
Captured CO₂ compressed and transported via pipeline, ship, or truck to geological storage or utilisation facilities. MOF pellets can also transport adsorbed CO₂ directly.
Injected into depleted oil/gas fields, saline aquifers, or basaltic formations for permanent geological sequestration. CO₂ trapped for thousands of years.
MOF catalytic sites convert CO₂ directly to methanol, formic acid, urea, cyclic carbonates, or bioplastic monomers — creating a circular carbon economy.
Post-combustion capture from coal, natural gas, and oil-fired plants. MOF-filled columns intercept flue gas before atmospheric release. Also applicable to biomass power plants for negative-emission electricity (BECCS).
Cement calcination is one of the world's largest CO₂ sources. MOFs capture calcination emissions and enable CO₂ curing of concrete (CO₂ + Ca compounds → CaCO₃), improving concrete strength while sequestering carbon permanently.
Blast furnace off-gases contain high CO₂ concentrations. Organometallic complexes capture CO₂ at the source; syngas purification enables clean hydrogen production for green steel pathways.
Acid gas removal from pipeline specifications. Mixed metal MOFs provide CO₂/CH₄ selectivity >50, enabling both purification and direct geological storage of separated CO₂.
CO₂ produced during crude oil processing and ammonia/hydrogen production. NHC complexes and porphyrin MOFs capture and catalyse conversion to urea (fertilizer) and synthetic fuels.
Steam methane reforming generates CO₂ as a byproduct. MOF capture at the SMR source enables production of low-carbon "blue hydrogen" — critical for the hydrogen economy transition.
Atmospheric CO₂ removal using amine-functionalised MOFs with high affinity for dilute CO₂ (~400 ppm). Integrates with renewable energy for closed-loop atmospheric drawdown.
MOF catalysts convert captured CO₂ to methanol, formic acid, cyclic carbonates, bioplastic monomers, and polycarbonates — creating commercial revenue from captured carbon and eliminating storage costs.
| Family | Metals | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| ZIF (Formula I) | Zn, Fe, Co | ~3.4 Å pore, SOD topology |
| Amino-MOF (II) | Zr, Cu, Fe, Ce, Al | Lewis base –NH₂, chemisorption |
| MOF-74 (III) | Mg, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Ca | Open metal sites, 1D hexagonal |
| MMOF (IV) | Cu-Zn, Ni-Co, Zr-Ti etc. | Bimetallic, tunable x |
| Organometallic (V) | Ni, Fe, Ru, Pd, Rh, Mn | CO₂ activation & catalysis |
| NHC Complex (VI) | Pd, Ni, Ru, Au, Mo, Ag | Strong σ-donor, high-temp stable |
| Ligand | Type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 2-methyl-1H-imidazole | Imidazolate | ZIF-8 synthesis |
| 2-aminoterephthalic acid | Amino-BDC | Enhanced CO₂ affinity |
| 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid | H₄dobdc | MOF-74 / open metal sites |
| Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid | BTC | High-connectivity nodes |
| Octaethylporphyrin (OEP) | Macrocycle | CO₂ enzyme mimic |
| NHC (C₃H₂N₂R₂) | Carbene | High-temp CO₂ capture |
| 2,5-diaminoterephthalic acid | Diamino-BDC | Enhanced chemisorption |
| 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid | BDC | Universal scaffold |