Volume 60, Issue 47 pp. 25068-25074
Research Article

Dense Packing of Acetylene in a Stable and Low-Cost Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient C2H2/CO2 Separation

Jiyan Pei

Jiyan Pei

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Hui-Min Wen

Prof. Hui-Min Wen

College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Xiao-Wen Gu

Xiao-Wen Gu

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Quan-Li Qian

Quan-Li Qian

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Prof. Yu Yang

Prof. Yu Yang

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Prof. Yuanjing Cui

Prof. Yuanjing Cui

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Prof. Bin Li

Corresponding Author

Prof. Bin Li

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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Prof. Banglin Chen

Corresponding Author

Prof. Banglin Chen

Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249-0698 USA

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Prof. Guodong Qian

Corresponding Author

Prof. Guodong Qian

State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027 China

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First published: 16 September 2021
Citations: 160

Graphical Abstract

An ultra-microporous Al-MOF with suitable pore confinement enables the dense packing of C2H2 molecules for efficient C2H2/CO2 separation, exhibiting the benchmark balance between high separation performance, low cost, high stability, and large-scale synthesis for industrial applications.

Abstract

Porous materials for C2H2/CO2 separation mostly suffer from high regeneration energy, poor stability, or high cost that largely dampen their industrial implementation. A desired adsorbent should have an optimal balance between excellent separation performance, high stability, and low cost. We herein report a stable, low-cost, and easily scaled-up aluminum MOF (CAU-10-H) for highly efficient C2H2/CO2 separation. The suitable pore confinement in CAU-10-H can not only provide multipoint binding interactions with C2H2 but also enable the dense packing of C2H2 inside the pores. This material exhibits one of the highest C2H2 storage densities of 392 g L−1 and highly selective adsorption of C2H2 over CO2 at ambient conditions, achieved by a low C2H2 adsorption enthalpy (27 kJ mol−1). Breakthrough experiments confirm its exceptional separation performance for C2H2/CO2 mixtures, affording both large C2H2 uptake of 3.3 mmol g−1 and high separation factor of 3.4. CAU-10-H achieves the benchmark balance between separation performance, stability, and cost for C2H2/CO2 separation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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