Cost Estimation of the Production of MIL-100(Fe) at Industrial Scale from Two Upscaled Sustainable Synthesis Routes
Maria Inês Severino, Cátia Freitas, Vanessa Pimenta, Farid Nouar, Moisés L. Pinto, Christian Serre
Abstract
Understanding the impact of MOF synthesis conditions on the production cost is vital in order to have a competitive product with a view toward industrial applications. Here, considering the benchmark mesoporous iron(III) trimesate MIL-100(Fe) as a prototypical example, we show that the production cost can reach <30 $/kg if a careful selection of the synthetic route is made. Two routes were considered in the analysis, using sulfate and nitrate as iron sources. A new optimized synthesis protocol in a 5 L laboratory pilot-scale reactor based on iron sulfate was developed using optimized sustainable aqueous ambient pressure conditions, leading to larger particles and a higher space-time yield. Based on reliable pilot-scale data and established chemical engineering estimation methods, this leads to a significantly lower production cost of high-quality MIL-100(Fe), achieving a potential competitive product.