Journal of Research in Applied Chemistry

Authors: Abhilasha Sharma1, Ashutosh Rana2, Kuldeep Bishth3

Abstract:  Porous crystalline materials have emerged as one of the most promising classes of functional solids for gas storage and separation applications. Among them, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their exceptionally high surface areas, tunable pore sizes, and chemical modularity. These materials provide unprecedented control over structure–property relationships, enabling selective adsorption and efficient separation of gases such as hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and light hydrocarbons. This review summarizes recent progress in the design, synthesis, and application of MOFs and COFs for gas storage and separation. Emphasis is placed on structure–function correlations, adsorption mechanisms, and practical challenges such as stability, scalability, and process integration. A comparative discussion of MOFs and COFs is provided, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Although significant progress has been achieved, issues related to moisture sensitivity, mechanical robustness, and cost remain to be addressed before large-scale deployment. Overall, porous framework materials represent a versatile platform for next-generation gas storage and separation technologies.

Keywords: Metal–organic frameworks; Covalent organic frameworks; Gas storage; Gas separation; Porous materials