Advances in Metal–organic Frameworks for Heat Transformation

Adsorption-assisted heat transformation (AHT) is promising in the fields of cooling, heat pumps, desalination, dehumidification, and thermal energy storage. One of the most attractive features of AHT systems is that they are driven by low-grade thermal energy sources, such as on-site heating including industrial heat losses and engine exhausts, renewable energy resources, and waste heat. The use of thermal energy in AHT systems not only results in a lower global warming potential (GWP), but also helps to alleviate the energy crisis.

The thermal performances of AHT systems depend on the amount of refrigerant/water uptake/offtake in porous materials. The interactions of water on porous materials as a function of pressure, temperature, and time are evaluated by adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and isosteric heat adsorption. It has been found that the type ‘V’ or ‘S’ isotherm give higher water transfer (uptake-offtake difference per adsorption/desorption cycle) as compared to the type ‘I’ isotherm under AHT operating conditions. However, traditional adsorbents such as silica gel, zeolite, and activated carbon show type ‘I’ adsorption isotherms. Therefore, novel materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or composite materials are needed for developing highly efficient AHT systems.

This Research Topic is focused on highlighting advances in MOFs for heat transformation. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of both experimental and simulation studies which aid the understanding of the basic principle of and advanced development of MOFs.

Topics within the scope of this collection include, but are not limited to, the following:
• The development of MOFs for heat transformation
• The interactions between MOFs and water molecules, e.g. isotherms, kinetics, isosteric heat of adsorptions, and thermodynamic property fields
• Thermodynamic modelling and performances of AHT systems equipped with thermal compressors, evaporators, and/or condensers
• Challenges and possible solutions in MOFs development for cooling, dehumidification, water harvesting (from air), and desalination applications.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: heat transformation, metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, thermodynamic modelling, thermal compressors, cooling, dehumidification, isosteric heat, adsorption-assisted heat transformation, isotherms

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.