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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation
Published on: July 18, 2017
Tuning Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) Topology by Regulating Ligand and Secondary Building Unit (SBU) Geometry:
Xingyu Li1,2, Jiaqi Liu1, Kang Zhou1
1Hoffmann Institute of Advanced Materials, Shenzhen Polytechnic, 7098 Liuxian Boulevard, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Topology evolution originating from variations of linker and SBU (Secondary Building Unit) geometries could largely enrich the chemistry of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Here we report the synthesis and characterization of three MOF structures built on the same organic linker, N,N,N',N'-Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,4-phenylenediamine (tcppda) and similar 8-connected M6 (M = Zr or Y) clusters. The three compounds, HIAM-402, HIAM-403, and HIAM-311, feature 4,8-connected sqc, scu, and flu topology, respectively. Detailed structural analysis revealed that different geometries of the inorganic M6 SBUs as well as the organic linker have led to the formation of distinct MOF nets. In particular, HIAM-402 features exceptional framework stability and high porosity and acts as a propane-selective adsorbent for the discrimination of propane and propylene. Its balanced adsorption selectivity (Spropane/propylene = 1.43) and capacity (Qpropane = 133.3 cm3/g, 298 K and 1 bar) endow it with the capability of separating propane and propylene mixtures and one-step production of highly pure propylene (purity >99.9%), as validated by column breakthrough measurements, with the presence of moisture or propyne. Ab initio calculations further confirm that the propane-selective behavior of HIAM-402 is a result of its higher binding energy toward propane compared to that of propylene.
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