Chaparadza Mercy

PhD Overview

My PhD project aims to develop novel monolithic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for efficient water vapor storage in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, with the broader goal of improving energy efficiency. MOFs are crystalline, porous materials made from metal nodes connected by organic linkers, forming networks with exceptionally high surface areas. I am fascinated as to why despite being discovered 30 years ago and having enormous potential as recognized by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, most MOFs remain confined to laboratories because they exist as powders that are fragile, difficult to handle, and unsuitable for real world applications. An exciting recent development has seen the development of so-called monolithic MOFs. These materials assemble into dense, mechanically stable blocks while retaining their desirable porous properties.

Early studies suggest that monolithic MOFs could overcome the limitations of powders, but much of this potential remains unexplored. Like in powdery MOFs, monoliths have properties that can be tuned by modifying both the metal nodes and the organic linkers that bridge between them. I aim to develop new monolithic MOFs as potential materials for water vapor storage in HVAC systems. This project will focus on designing and synthesizing monolithic MOFs with enhanced water adsorption capabilities, particularly under low-humidity conditions where efficient water capture is more challenging. The research will investigate how the structure, porosity, and mechanical properties of monolithic MOFs can be tailored to optimize water vapor uptake and release. The ultimate aim is to establish structure-property relationships that can guide the development of robust, high-performance MOF monoliths for next-generation HVAC technologies and contribute to more energy-efficient approaches to heating and cooling