Laboratory study examines how synthesis and activation conditions affect PET-derived MIL-53(Al)

An experimental materials study found that synthesis temperature and activation strategy were associated with differences in the structure, accessible porosity and hydrogen adsorption of MIL-53(Al) made from post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. The researchers synthesised PET-derived MIL-53(Al) at different temperatures and subjected the products to different activation strategies before evaluating their structural, textural and hydrogen-adsorption properties.

Reported surface areas ranged from 269 to 1509 m² g−1. Among samples activated using the same protocol, surface area decreased as synthesis temperature increased. This pattern suggests that accessible porosity was influenced by the tested preparation conditions. The study also observed morphological differences between materials, which the authors interpreted as potentially reflecting the combined influence of synthesis temperature and activation procedure.

Hydrogen uptake showed notable differences among the samples at 1 bar and 77 K. Some differences in adsorption remained between materials with comparable textural properties, indicating that accessible surface area alone did not explain the observed hydrogen-adsorption behaviour. The abstract does not provide the individual uptake values, uncertainty estimates or a specific mechanism linking material characteristics to the adsorption results.

The available evidence comes from the abstract of an experimental laboratory study, not a review, simulation, protocol or clinical investigation. Its scope was PET-derived MIL-53(Al) prepared under a set of tested synthesis temperatures and activation strategies; the abstract does not establish whether 1 bar and 77 K were the only conditions used for hydrogen-adsorption measurements. It also does not describe replication, statistical testing, the complete preparation methods or longer-term performance. The publisher identifies the article as an early version of peer-reviewed, accepted research that remains subject to further editorial changes.

Subject of Research: Experimental study of synthesis and activation effects on PET-derived MIL-53(Al) porosity and hydrogen adsorption.

Article Title: Influence of synthesis temperature and synthesis activation strategies on the structure, porosity and hydrogen uptake of PET-derived MIL-53(Al)

Article References: Dlamini, N. X., Habib, N. R., Musyoka, N. M., & Langmi, H. W. (2026). Influence of synthesis temperature and synthesis activation strategies on the structure, porosity and hydrogen uptake of PET-derived MIL-53(Al). Discover Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-04928-6

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s43621-026-04928-6

Keywords: MIL-53(Al), PET waste, metal-organic frameworks, hydrogen adsorption, surface area, porosity, synthesis temperature, activation strategy, Influence, synthesis, temperature, activation