A pillared-layer framework with high uptake and selective sorption of light hydrocarbons

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are advanced porous materials with tunable structures.
• Developing MOFs with selective gas adsorption properties is crucial for separation technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a new pillared-layer metal-organic framework using mixed ligands.
• To evaluate the gas uptake and adsorption selectivity of the synthesized MOF for C3/C1 and C2/C1 gas pairs.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-ligand synthesis of a pillared-layer metal-organic framework, denoted as [Zn2(NH2-BTB)(2-nim)].
• Characterization of the framework's structure and porosity.
• Gas adsorption measurements at various temperatures and pressures.

Main Results:

• The synthesized MOF exhibits high uptake capacity for acetylene (C2H2) of 152 cm(3) g(-1) at 273 K.
• The material demonstrates excellent selectivity for propane/methane (C3H8/CH4) exceeding 85 at room temperature.
• The framework shows good adsorption selectivities for C3/C1 and C2/C1 gas mixtures.

Conclusions:

• The novel MOF, [Zn2(NH2-BTB)(2-nim)], is an effective material for selective gas adsorption.
• This MOF shows potential for applications in gas separation and storage, particularly for C2H2 and C3H8/CH4 mixtures.