ABSTRACT
This Chapter discusses, the impact that inorganic porous matrixes (namely, zeolites and metal-organic frameworks) have on industrial development and environmental remediation processes. In particular, the role of these materials as adequate adsorbents for gas storage, air purification, gas mixture separation or wastewater treatment is thoroughly analysed. In fact, zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit exceptional features, mainly due to their high surface area and tunability, which make them ideal candidates for these types of application, outperforming, in some cases, the classic porous materials. Thus, the basic principles of the adsorption process, as well as the main strategies employed to enhance the adsorptive properties (capacity and selectivity) of these porous matrixes is presented. In particular, we focus attention on those methodologies capable of modifying the final characteristics (size and functionality) of the pores and/or frameworks and, therefore, able to adapt the adsorption properties and selectivity of the resulting materials to a specific application or adsorbate. The gas adsorption properties of zeolites and MOFs are outlined focusing on suitable applications of each gas. These include energy (H2, CH4), environmental (CO2, NOx, SOx, etc) and other gases (O2 and noble gases) purification and separation. Finally, the adsorption capacity of these materials towards different pollutants present in water, such as heavy metals, radionuclides, dyes, pharmaceuticals and other toxic organic molecules, is also discussed, including the most representative examples found in recent literature.
