Understanding the effect of compaction forming on the structure and performance of Cu-BTC metal-organic framework.

A vast amount of work has been conducted on understanding metal organic frameworks (MOFs) in their powder form. However, for use in industrial processes, powders will need to be processed into formed parts, such as pellets or granules. Using neutron diffraction this work aims to understand crystallographic changes that occur to the MOF Cu-BTC when it is subjected repeatedly to mild pressures - analogues to the process of granulation. This work, once linked to in-house testing data will give an unparalleled insight into the forming of this MOF for commercial applications.