BASF receives French Pierre Potier Award for metal organic frameworks (MOFs) research
- New solvent-free manufacturing process enables industrial scale production for the first time
- MOFs' crystalline nanostructures increase the range of natural gas vehicles
Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 13, 2012 – BASF has received the French Pierre Potier Prize for research achievements in the area of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Initiated seven years ago by the two French chemical associations “Fédération Française pour les sciences de la Chimie (FFC)“ und “l’Union des Industries Chimiques (UIC)“, the award pays tribute to chemical innovations that support sustainable development.
BASF research scientists developed a process by which aluminum MOFs can be manufactured solvent-free on an industrial scale for the very first time. “With the innovative production process, we can now manufacture MOFs by the tonne and in that way enable their commercialization,” said Dr. Ulrich Müller, who heads MOF research in the BASF Process Research and Chemical Engineering division. As the manufacturing process only uses water and no organic solvents at all, the method is particularly safe and eco-friendly. “The high material yield also makes it very efficient,” Müller commented.
MOFs are suitable for numerous applications. BASF uses them for example for highly efficient storage of natural gas in gas powered vehicles. MOFs are made up of a three-dimensional metal organic framework with nanoscale pores. “The resultant very large internal surface and high porosity enables comparatively large amounts of gas to be stored in natural gas tanks. As a result, natural gas vehicles may be able to drive twice the distance on a single tank in future,” Müller said.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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