Influence of Co-adsorbates on CO2 induced phase transition in functionalized pillared-layered metal–organic frameworks

Abstract

Most studies on flexible MOFs which suggest good separation properties of the framework are solely based on single component isotherms and conclusions drawn from these. However, many factors are not considered, particularly the change of the pore space after the opening of the framework can have a distinct effect on the adsorption of a second gas present in a real separation problem that does not induce the phase transition of the material. Within this study, we focus on a series of flexible pillared-layered MOFs of the type [Zn₂(fu-bdc)₂(dabco)]_n bearing flexible side chains and analyze the gas adsorption behavior when the material is exposed to mixtures of CO₂ with other adsorptives, including N₂, CH₄, C₂H₆ and C₃H₈, to evaluate the influence of the co-adsorbate on the sorption selectivity and phase transition under these conditions.