Issue 38, 2024

A novel microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework with electron-rich alkynyl groups for highly efficient C2H6/C2H4 separation

Abstract

Microporous hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have been considered promising materials for ethane/ethylene (C2H6/C2H4) separation owing to their native nonpolar pores. However, the absence of functional binding sites on nonpolar pore surfaces commonly limits their separation performance. Herein, we report and construct a novel HOF material (termed as ZJU-HOF-60a) by incorporating electron-rich alkynyl groups into its pore surfaces to achieve highly efficient C2H6/C2H4 separation. The incorporated alkynyl groups not only serve as functional binding sites to provide multiple supramolecular interactions with the C2H6 molecule, but also do not participate in the formation of any hydrogen bonds in order to obtain the desired HOF framework. Alkynyl-functionalized ZJU-HOF-60a thus exhibits both a top-tier C2H6 uptake capacity of 3.79 mmol g−1 and C2H6/C2H4 uptake ratio of 1.58 at 296 K and 1 bar, surpassing most of the previously reported C2H6-selective HOFs. Theoretical calculations indicate that the incorporated alkynyl groups combined with the surrounding carboxylic groups provide stronger and more number of C–H⋯π and C–H⋯O interactions to bind with C2H6 over C2H4, thus accounting for efficient C2H6/C2H4 separation. The actual separation performance of ZJU-HOF-60a was confirmed using breakthrough experiments for 50/50 (v/v) C2H6/C2H4 gas mixtures, affording a highly pure C2H4 productivity of 7.8 L kg−1 under ambient conditions.

Graphical abstract: A novel microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework with electron-rich alkynyl groups for highly efficient C2H6/C2H4 separation

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 jul 2024
Accepted
27 aug 2024
First published
29 aug 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 25812-25819

A novel microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework with electron-rich alkynyl groups for highly efficient C2H6/C2H4 separation

Y. Wang, T. Zhang, Y. Lin, J. Wang, H. Wen, X. Zhang, G. Qian and B. Li, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 25812 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA04528A

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