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MIL-160(Al): The Gold Standard for Hydrophilic Sorption
An exhaustive technical evaluation of crystallographic architecture, hydrothermal endurance, and thermodynamic adsorption kinetics of commercial-grade MIL-160.
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have transformed chemical separation and thermal engineering. Among thousands of synthesized frameworks, MIL-160(Al)—specifically synthesized from aluminium ions and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)—stands out as one of the most hydrothermally robust, bio-derived, and commercially viable porous sorbents available today.
Unlike conventional inorganic desiccants such as silica gel or synthetic zeolites (e.g., 13X, SAPO-34), MIL-160 exhibits a distinct S-shaped (Type V) water adsorption isotherm. This unique thermodynamic signature allows it to achieve ultra-high working capacities under exceptionally low relative humidity (RH = 10%–30%) while releasing adsorbed water molecules at ultra-low regeneration temperatures (55°C–70°C). This low regeneration threshold eliminates the need for energy-intensive heat sources, unlocking seamless integration with low-grade industrial waste heat, solar thermal collectors, and micro-grid energy systems.
Thermodynamic Performance Benchmark
To evaluate MIL-160's superiority, our analytical laboratory performed comparative sorption-desorption testing against traditional industrial adsorbents. Below is the verified physical-chemical dataset:
| Adsorbent Grade | BET Area (m²/g) | Pore Vol (cm³/g) | H₂O Uptake (P/P₀=0.2) | Regeneration Temp (°C) | Hydrothermal Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KARGEN MIL-160(Al) | 1,250 – 1,380 | 0.52 – 0.58 | 0.38 g/g (38 wt%) | 60°C – 70°C | >10,000 Cycles (Excel) |
| Silica Gel (Type A) | 650 – 750 | 0.35 – 0.42 | 0.08 g/g (8 wt%) | 120°C – 150°C | Degrades in steam |
| Zeolite 13X | 550 – 650 | 0.28 – 0.32 | 0.18 g/g (18 wt%) | 200°C – 300°C | High framework decay |
| AQSOA SAPO-34 | 480 – 580 | 0.24 – 0.28 | 0.22 g/g (22 wt%) | 85°C – 100°C | Moderate stability |
| Al-FUM MOF | 1,000 – 1,150 | 0.45 – 0.49 | 0.31 g/g (31 wt%) | 70°C – 85°C | High stability |
MIL-160 Spec Sheet
- Chemical Formula: Al(OH)(C6H2O5)
- CAS Number: 1801229-42-4
- Molecular Weight: ~198.07 g/mol (unit framework)
- Crystallographic System: Orthorhombic
- Pore Diameter: 5.0 Å x 5.0 Å (Microporous)
- Isosteric Heat of Adsorption: ~46–48 kJ/mol
- Thermal Decomposition: >360°C in air
- Bulk Density: 0.45 – 0.55 g/cm³
- Form Factors: Ultrafine Powder, Granules, Monolithic Honeycomb, Coated Fins
Macro-Industry Solutions Powered by MIL-160
How high-purity MIL-160 material solves critical thermodynamic and chemical bottlenecks across energy, water, and HVAC manufacturing sectors.
1. Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH)
In arid and landlocked geographical zones, atmospheric humidity is an untapped freshwater reservoir. MIL-160's hyper-hydrophilic framework allows systems to extract clean drinking water even when relative humidity falls below 20%. Because desorption occurs under low-grade solar heat (60°C–65°C), off-grid mobile water generators can operate autonomously with zero fossil energy consumption.
2. Adsorption Heat Pumps & Chillers
Modern HVAC equipment is transitioning away from compressor-based cooling toward sorptive thermal storage. Integrating MIL-160 onto aluminum heat-exchanger fins enables high-efficiency thermal energy storage (TES) and adsorption chillers (AHP). Systems utilizing MIL-160 achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) up to 40% higher than silica gel units, reducing cooling power usage significantly.
3. Bio-Gas & Industrial Gas Drying
Moisture contamination degrades industrial catalysts and corrodes gas transportation pipelines. MIL-160 serves as a heavy-duty desiccant for natural gas, biomethane, and carbon dioxide streams. Its steep adsorption isotherm guarantees deep dew-point suppression (down to -60°C dew point) with minimal gas co-adsorption loss.
4. Advanced Mold & Humidity Control
For high-precision electronics manufacturing, lithium battery cleanrooms, and pharmaceutical storage, maintaining stable relative humidity without temperature fluctuations is imperative. MIL-160 desiccant rotors achieve fast mass-transfer kinetics, enabling compact, high-throughput dehumidification systems.
China Industry 4.0: Ton-Scale Supply Chain Resilience
Eliminating lab-to-market scaling gaps through automated green hydrothermal synthesis and rigorous quality inspection protocols.
Eco-Friendly Green Hydrothermal Synthesis
Historically, MOF production relied on expensive organic solvents such as DMF (N,N-Dimethylformamide). Our facility pioneered continuous water-based hydrothermal crystallization for MIL-160(Al). By utilizing pure water as the reaction medium, we lower raw material costs by 65%, eliminate hazardous organic waste, and ensure 100% compliance with international environmental standard ISO 14001.
Batch-to-Batch Analytical Quality Control
Every metric ton of MIL-160 undergoes rigid characterization before release. Our in-house analytical lab conducts Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) to verify crystalline framework phase purity, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) for thermal limit validation, and volumetric N₂ / H₂O adsorption testing to guarantee BET surface area compliance (minimum 1,200 m²/g).
Global Logistics & OEM/ODM Customization
Whether your engineering team requires ultra-fine nanometer powders (d50 = 500 nm), micrometer crystals, binder-free extruded pellets (1.5mm–3.0mm), or wash-coated substrates, our factory offers tailored shaping services. With direct export corridors to Europe, North America, and East Asia, we ensure steady supply chains backed by REACH and RoHS documentation.
Global Enterprise Procurement & Qualification Workflow
Streamlined step-by-step framework designed for R&D scientists, procurement directors, and system integration engineers.
Material Screening
Submit target gas/water operating conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate, RH profile) for expert material matching.
Sample Validation
Receive 100g to 1kg sample batches along with PXRD, TGA, and isotherm certificates for laboratory validation.
Pilot Scale-Up
Engage our application engineers to determine optimal shaping (granulate size, binder chemistry, or wash-coating thickness).
Commercial Contract
Lock in multi-ton supply contracts with guaranteed delivery schedules, batch uniformity, and landed pricing.
Technical Roadmap & Future Outlook (2025–2035)
Strategic development directions for next-generation porous materials and hybrid MIL-160 composites.
Hybrid MOF-Polymer Membranes
By incorporating functionalized MIL-160 nanoparticles into polymeric matrices (such as polyimides and polysulfones), our team is developing mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with enhanced gas selectivity and permeability. These membranes target low-energy separation of carbon dioxide from bio-gas streams and volatile organic compound (VOC) recovery.
Phase Change Material (PCM) Integration
To overcome mass and heat transfer bottlenecks during ultra-fast adsorption cycles, research is underway to encapsulate micro-PCMs directly into MIL-160 honeycomb structures. This hybrid thermal system absorbs latent heat in real-time, preserving isothermal conditions during moisture uptake and increasing adsorption efficiency by up to 25%.
AI-Guided Pore Engineering
Utilizing machine learning models and high-throughput molecular dynamics simulations, our R&D center is synthesizing modified MIL-160 derivatives with targeted pore-geometry adjustments. These custom variants aim to lower desorption activation energies to below 50°C, opening possibilities for ultra-low temperature waste heat harvesting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In-depth technical answers addressing common inquiry points from chemical procurement teams and R&D leaders.
What makes MIL-160 superior to MIL-53(Al) and ZIF-8 for water harvesting?
While MIL-53(Al) possesses a flexible framework, its water sorption capacity at lower relative humidity levels (RH < 30%) is limited. ZIF-8 is strongly hydrophobic and non-sorptive toward water molecules under ambient conditions. In contrast, MIL-160(Al) features a rigid, highly hydrophilic pore network formed by 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid linkers. This yields a steep Type V water adsorption isotherm, capturing up to 0.38 g of water per gram of MOF at just 20% RH, while desorbing at mild temperatures (60°C–70°C).
How does MIL-160 perform during long-term cyclic exposure to steam or moisture?
Hydrothermal stability is a major benchmark for practical sorbents. MIL-160 exhibits exceptional stability due to strong coordination bonds between trivalent aluminium ions (Al³⁺) and carboxylate groups of the FDCA linker. Accelerating aging tests involving 10,000 continuous adsorption-desorption cycles with liquid water contact and hot steam exposure showed less than a 2.5% decrease in total BET surface area and working capacity.
What form factors and binder options are available for bulk commercial orders?
We supply MIL-160 in multiple commercial formats: 1) As-synthesized dry powder (d50 = 2–5 µm or sub-micron); 2) Binder-free or low-binder extrudates/pellets (1.5mm, 3.0mm diameter) engineered for fixed-bed reactors; 3) Granules (20–60 mesh); and 4) Wash-coating slurries specifically tailored for direct application onto metallic heat-exchanger fins and desiccant rotor substrates.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) and sample lead time?
For initial engineering qualification and laboratory validation, we provide evaluation sample packs from 100g to 1kg with a standard lead time of 3–5 business days. Commercial production MOQs start at 25 kg in double-sealed anti-moisture fiber drums, with full container-load (FCL) capabilities delivered via direct export corridors.
Is MIL-160 compliant with international regulatory and environmental standards?
Yes. Our water-based green manufacturing process ensures zero heavy metal residue and minimal carbon footprint. MIL-160 is fully compliant with EU REACH, RoHS directives, and TSCA regulations. Detailed Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), PXRD patterns, and TGA graphs are included with every shipped lot.
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