Highly structured metal-organic framework nanofibers for methane storage

Porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high theoretical volumetric gas uptake capacity are promising for storage and separation, but the structuring practical applications is challenging. Herein, we report a general feasible strategy to combine electrospinning phase conversion method decorate polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (PAN NFs) Cu-MOF (HKUST-1). The based on combination of surface pretreatment NFs Cu(OH)2 subsequent into HKUST-1 crystals (PC-HKUST-1). A significant higher loading in PAN NF matrix was achieved by compared direct MOF slurries or in-situ growth NFs. As result, hierarchical structured PC (phase conversion)-HKUST-1 revealed highest gravimetric 86 cm3 g−1 (STP) at 3500 kPa 298 K methane (CH4), which than other HKUST 1 reported previously. improved CH4 can be explained due availability Cu-ions localized during process, resulting area excellent access converted HKUST-1. Thus, developed MOFs could interest fabrication tailor-made architectures energy environmental applications.