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Shape-Matched Nonpolar Pore Surfaces Enhance Alkane Recognition Toward Natural Gas Upgrading
Shuixiang Zou1,2, Jiaxing Ye1, Cheng Chen1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.
Abstract:
Efficiently removing C3H8 and C2H6 from natural gas remains a formidable challenge in meeting industrial purification demands. Traditional strategies have primarily focused on subtle polarizability differences among alkane molecules, there have been no reported efforts that exploit their substantial shape disparities for separation purposes. Hence, we customized a two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF), Zn-BPDP, featuring zigzag aromatic pore channels. Zn-BPDP achieves specific capture of V-shaped C3H8 and linear C2H6 through the synergistic effect of shape-matched and nonpolar pore surfaces. Ultimately, Zn-BPDP exhibits considerable C3/C2 adsorption capacities, along with outstanding C3H8/CH4 and C2H6/CH4 ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) selectivities. Under harsh simulated industrial conditions, including high flow rate (4 mL min-1), elevated temperature (318 K), and saturated humidity (RH = 100%), Zn-BPDP demonstrates superior separation performance for C3H8/C2H6/CH4 mixtures. Theoretical calculations further indicate that shape-matched aromatic surfaces provide enlarged contact interfaces with both C3H8 and C2H6 through multiple C─H···π interactions, thereby presenting an innovative approach for natural gas upgrading.
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