Targeted Fluorocarbon Separation: Porous Material Design Strategies and Mechanistic Analysis

Fluorocarbons, widely utilized for their superior insulating and thermoregulatory properties in electronics and refrigeration systems, are increasingly subject to global phase-out policies due to their significant ozone-depletion potential and contribution to climate change. This growing regulatory pressure has intensified the pursuit of sustainable alternatives and circular approaches to fluorocarbon management. In response, this review provides a comprehensive evaluation of advanced adsorbent materials, namely, zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs), which exhibit remarkable performance in the selective separation of fluorocarbon mixtures. Through a detailed comparative analysis of their adsorption sites, capacities, selectivity characteristics, and underlying operational mechanisms, the study elucidates key structure-property relationships. Furthermore, the feasibility of practical applications is analyzed, leading to the identification of limitations in current separation methods and the proposal of reasonable solution strategies. This work provides strategic guidance for the rational development of next-generation adsorbents, ultimately aiming to bridge fundamental adsorption science with practical and environmentally sustainable fluorocarbon recovery and reuse technologies.