Issue 37, 2021

Separation of alkane and alkene mixtures by metal–organic frameworks

Abstract

The separation of alkane/alkene gas mixtures represents an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry to produce valuable chemical feedstocks with sufficiently high purity. These molecules have similar physical properties, making their separation difficult and capital-intensive. The current separation and purification technology relies largely on heat-driven distillations with a huge unit composed of hundreds of trays. Adsorptive separation using porous solids is capable of accomplishing the purification under ambient conditions, offering potential energy and environmental benefits. In particular, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise for this separation process in light of their highly tunable pore shape, pore size, and pore surface functionality. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive account of metal–organic frameworks that have been investigated for the separation of alkanes and alkenes with a focus on C2–C3 hydrocarbons. The material design rationale, separation mechanisms, and structure–property relations are highlighted. Finally, the existing challenges and possible design strategies for desirable materials are also discussed.

Graphical abstract: Separation of alkane and alkene mixtures by metal–organic frameworks

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
14 May 2021
Accepted
26 Aug 2021
First published
26 Aug 2021

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021,9, 20874-20896

Author version available

Separation of alkane and alkene mixtures by metal–organic frameworks

H. Wang, D. Luo, E. Velasco, L. Yu and J. Li, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9, 20874 DOI: 10.1039/D1TA04096K

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