The CNR-ITM research unit has a large experience in the preparation, characterization, modeling, and testing of membranes based on commercial and state-of-the-art materials. In “doMino,” CNR-ITM’s research is focused on the preparation and study of (per)-fluorinated mixed matrix membranes for the treatment of CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ gas pairs via both experimental and computational methods. Within the scope of the WP3, CNR-ITM will develop both self-standing and thin film composite, mixed matrix membranes based on F-MOFs synthesized at UniPi and UniPG that will be studied in terms of the gas transport properties of pure gas and mixtures. CNR-ITM also contributes to the study of the compatibility between F-MOFs and polymeric matrix, diffusion, and adsorption phenomena of gaseous and vapor-phase permeants in MMMs by different computational approaches such as Molecular dynamics and the Monte Carlo method (WP4). 

The CNR-ITM research unit is composed by Dr. Elisa Esposito, Dr. Alessio Fuoco, Dr. Carmen Rizzuto, and Dr. Elena Tocci ( left to right in the picture).

The CNR-ICCOM team is composed by Lucia Calucci (researcher) and Francesca Nardelli (Post Doc fellow). Their research work focuses on the characterization of structural and dynamic properties of MOFs, membranes, and MOF-based MMMs by multi-nuclear Solid-State NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry. Dynamic processes of adsorbed gases and interactions of gases with MOFs and membranes are also investigated through the analysis of nuclear relaxation times and line shapes of NMR spectra. Research is carried out at the Solid-State NMR laboratory equipped with instrumentation for both high- and low-resolution NMR experiments.

The ICCOM Research Unti is composed by Dr. Lucia Calucci, and Dr. Francesca Nardelli (left to right in the picture).

The UniPI research unit has strong expertise in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry and contributes to WP1 (Synthesis and basic characterization of F-MOFs) by preparing carboxylic and heterocyclic organic linkers. These linkers are used for the synthesis of Ce(IV)- and Cu(II)-based MOFs. The goal is to obtain MOFs with known topologies and phase-change CO2 adsorption behavior to investigate the effect of varying degrees of fluorination of the linker on the adsorption properties. The carboxylic linkers synthesized at UniPI are also shared with the UniPG research unit.

The UniPI research unit is composed by Dr. Giulio Bresciani, Prof. Marco Lessi, Francesca Nerli, and Prof. Marco Taddei (left to right in the picture).

The UNIPG research unit work team deals with the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated MOFs based on trivalent and tetravalent metals such as Al, Zr, and Ce with high selectivity towards CO₂ adsorption. The actual research lines are focused on innovative synthetic approaches using green solvents and solid-state “solvent free” techniques. The team is equipped with several instruments such as powder and single-crystal X-Ray diffractometers, gas sorption analyzers, ICP, and NMR spectrometers.

The UniPG research unit is composed by Maria Sole Notari, Dr. Diletta Morelli Venturi, Prof. Ferdinando Costantino, Melissa Castagnoli, and Letizia Trovarelli (left to right in the picture).

The UniTO research unit has strong expertise in the advanced characterization of materials (mainly through spectroscopic, volumetric, microcalorimetric, and computational approaches) and contributes to WP2 (Advanced Characterization of F-MOFs) by characterizing the novel MOFs, synthesized at UniPI and UniPG, to shed light on their structure and adsorption capacity, as well as on the adsorption sites and mechanisms, fundamental to drive the rational choice of the best adsorbents to be employed in the preparation of MMMs. UniTO research unit also contributes to WP3 (Membrane preparation, characterization, and testing) by studying the sorption properties of the new MMMs and to WP4 (Multiscale Modeling) by employing computational modeling in the characterization and the prediction of MOF properties. 

The UniTO research unit is composed by Dr. Matteo Signorile, Virginia Guiotto, Alessia Airi, and Dr. Valentina Crocellà (left to right in the picture).