Acid-Base Engineering of MOFs: Adsorbents for CO2 and Pesticides including Catalyst for their Degradation

• Grant number: 24/13394-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Dalmo Mandelli
• Grantee: Dalmo Mandelli
• Visiting researcher: Bhajan Lal
• Visiting researcher institution: Shah Abdul Latif University/Salu, Pakistan
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/01258-5 - Novel chemical catalytic and photocatalytic processes for the direct conversion of methane and CO2 to products, AP.TEM

Abstract

Pesticides play crucial roles in modern agriculture by protecting crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, ensuring food security and increasing yields. The accumulation of pesticide residues in soil, water bodies, and food chains poses risks to ecosystems and human health through contamination and bioaccumulation. As Brazil emerges as a global agricultural powerhouse, addressing pesticide contamination becomes crucial. Continuing in the field of environmental issues presented by pesticides, the removal of CO2 presents a significant challenge across multiple fields of research. This situation is especially important as the huge oil deposits in Brazil's pre-salt sea waters contains substantial amounts of natural gas and CO2. Thus, developing technologies for CO2 adsorption and separation from CH4 is crucial. This project aims to leverage the knowledge acquired in the synthesis of MOFs from the current FAPESP projects liked to this proposal to develop advanced materials for environmental remediation. Specifically, the proposal focuses on the synthesis and functionalization of MOFs with tailored acid-base characteristics to enhance their performance as adsorbents for carbon dioxide (CO2) from natural gas and as adsorbents and catalysts for the degradation of harmful pesticides. The most innovative aspect of this research lies in the post-synthetic modification of MOFs via C=C double bond metathesis, a novel approach that has not been previously explored. By engineering the acid-base properties and introducing controlled defects within the MOF structure, we aim to create materials with superior adsorption capacities and catalytic activities. It is planned that Professor Bhajan Lal will spend 12 months at UFABC as a Visiting Researcher, contributing to the development of four linked projects, two of which are funded by FAPESP and both involve the synthesis and application of MOFs, particularly for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons. Professor Bhajan will conduct laboratory experiments focused on synthesizing MOFs using linkers based on diacids containing C=C double bonds and their post-synthetic modification via metathesis to introduce acid and basic groups. These MOFs will be applied in the removal and degradation of CO2 and pesticides. In addition to laboratory work, Professor Bhajan will participate in various other research and educational activities at UFABC. These include: (i) teaching a course titled within the Postgraduate Program in Science and Technology/Chemistry, (ii) delivering a lecture at UFABC summarizing the research conducted as a Visiting Researcher, including recent results, (iii) visiting USP, UNICAMP, UNIFESP, UFSCar and EMBRAPA-S. Carlos, (iv) attending research group meetings, (v) participating in MSc and/or PhD thesis committees, and (vi) collaborating on the project management liked to this proposal, including planning research activities, supervising students, and preparing reports and research papers. The visit of Professor Bhajan is expected not only to complement, diversify, and strengthen the research outcomes of the associated projects but also to enhance existing international collaborations and foster new ones, thereby contributing to both scientific and pedagogical cooperation between UFABC and Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur. (AU)