Coexisting gases regulate the rates of water adsorption by a flexible one-dimensional coordination polymer

Abstract

A novel flexible one-dimensional coordination polymer [Cu₂(3-OH-bza)₃(AcO)(pyr)] (1, 3-OH-bza = 3-hydroxybenzoate, AcO = acetate, pyr = pyrimidine) was found to adsorb water at rates that are influenced by the nature of coexisting gases. Upon exposure to a flow of water vapor containing gas, 1 displays a H₂O adsorption rate that is decelerated to a greater extent by CO₂ than by N₂. Key to this phenomenon is the observation that 1 undergoes a structural change upon reversible and selective adsorption of H₂O. This finding serves as the basis of a new strategy for designing porous materials for highly efficient separation and storage applications.