Target

The goal of CMOFs4water-CM is to exploit the versatility of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) to develop multifunctional materials to remove by adsorption and/or degradation pharmaceuticals from wastewater.

Activities

CMOFs4water-CM is based on a comprehensive approach that covers from the most fundamental experimental and theoretical studies of the interaction of the target molecules with the MOFs and COFs at the atomic scale, to the manufacturing and testing of devices (i.e. columns and membranes) under realistic operation conditions for the removal of CECs. Our two-speed methodology involves the device shaping and testing of a first generation of known materials like COFs and MOFs that have already shown outstanding efficiency in removing CECs, together with the design, synthesis and optimization of a second generation of new compounds. This methodology makes it possible to advance simultaneously in the five proposed scientific work packages: (1) Rational PPCPs selection, (2) Material production, (3) Advanced characterization and Modeling, (4) Performance evaluation, and (5) Shaping and prototyping, in order to reach our ambitious goal during the four years of the project.

Impact

CMOFs4water-CM offers a radically new and highly promising approach to the problem of micropollutant removal, where no well-established solutions exist so far, and a wealth of fundamental knowledge about the structure, stability and chemical activity of MOFs and COFs relevant for key technological applications, including catalysis, sensing and energy harvesting.

This project has been funded through the R&D activities program with reference TEC-2024/ECO-332 and acronym CMOFs4water-CM granted by the Community of Madrid through the Directorate General for Research and Technological Innovation via Order 5696/2024.