The metal-organic framework, MOF-5 (Zn4O(BDC)(3)), was prepared using solvothermal synthesis under microwave irradiation, followed by solvent exchange to improve molecular stability at high temperatures, and assessed for its ability to capture CO2 at ambient pressure and temperatures up to 300 degrees C. The reaction product was characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, N-2 physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis and CO2 physisorption. Cyclic CO2 physisorption showed the capacity of the MOF-5 crystals to be 3.61 wt% when cycled between 30 degrees C and 300 degrees C through 10 separate capture and release cycles. Above 400 degrees C MOF-5 underwent thermal decomposition and was no longer capable of capturing CO2. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.