CARBONCROFS · Rational Design of Hybrid Nano-porous Composites made from Carbon Nanostructures and Crystalline Open-Framework Solids for Advanced Applications

The CarbonCROFs proposal is directed at the rational design and development of novel open-frameworks solids including metal organic-, zeolitic imidazolate- and covalent organic-frameworks well as their smart combination with carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes and graphene) towards advanced, multifunctional hybrid nanoporous materials. The combination of the unique and diverse physical and chemical properties of carbon nanostructures such as high surface area, increased chemical and mechanical stability in conjunction with the remarkable properties of final open framework nanoporous composites, is strongly expected to deliver tailor made, hybrid, composite materials showing a very promising potential to serve clean energy (such as hydrogen and fuel cell) technologies. In this respect, the CarbonCROFs project is aiming at the development of composite nanoporous materials featuring:(i)Significantly improved sorption properties for technologically important gases including H2, CO2, CH4 and NH3.(ii)Ultrahigh anhydrous proton conductivity for potential utilization in high temperature fuel cells.In order to achieve these overall goals, research within CarbonCROFs will focus on:(i) Drastically enhancement of the degree of aromaticity in CROFS and in this way improvement of their gas storage properties. Aromatic rings are Lewis base sites and their presence in porous solids improves the gas storage capacity through either acid-base interactions (the case of CO2-acidic molecule) or induced dipole (the case of H2).(ii) Radical improvement of the mechanical and chemical stability of open-framework solids and development of air stable hybrid composites while maintaining maximum porosity.(iii) Preparation of moisture stable composites functionalized with acidic groups such as sulfonic and aromatic hydroxyl groups. These solids are strongly expected to exhibit anhydrous proton conductivity suitable for application the next generation fuel cells applications.