The separation of light hydrocarbons like methane, ethane, and propane is an important section of the chemical industry. Herein, we reported a novel porous metal–organic framework (MOF) Cu-IPA and investigated its CH4/C2H6/C3H8 separation performance, particularly for efficient capture of C2H6 and C3H8 at low concentrations. Cu-IPA featured 1D hexagonal channels and triangular channels decorated with extensive oxygen atoms. It showed high C2H6 and C3H8 capacities in the low-pressure region, where C3H8 uptake at 5 kPa was 1.62 mmol/g and C2H6 uptake reached 1.33 mmol/g at 10 kPa, suggesting the strong adsorption affinities toward C2H6 and C3H8. For an equimolar C2H6/CH4 mixture, Cu-IPA exhibited a considerable IAST selectivity of 40, exceeding most reported MOF adsorbents. Excellent CH4/C2H6/C3H8 separation performance for Cu-IPA can be attributed to its appropriate pore size and abundant accessible oxygens atoms in the triangular channel. The molecular simulation revealed that Cu-IPA tended to form stronger C–H···O interactions with C2H6 and C3H8 due to the higher polarizabilities, resulting in larger interaction differences between C2H6/CH4 and C3H8/CH4. Breakthrough tests also supported the excellent dynamic separation performance and recyclability of Cu-IPA.
Xiaoqing Wang,Ye Li,Xiaomin Li,Yong Wang,Feifei Zhang,Shishuai Li,Libo Li,Jinping Li,Jiangfeng Yang
Developing ethane (C 2 H 6 )-selective adsorbents is crucial for energy-efficient separation and the direct production of high-purity ethylene (C 2 H 4 ). While pure-silica zeolites show promise, their limited selectivity necessitates the exploration of alternative materials. Herein, we present AlPO 4 -17, an electrically neutral aluminum phosphate (AlPO) zeolite and isostructural analog of pure-silica zeolites. Featuring ultra-microporous structures and low-polarity surfaces, AlPO 4 -17 exhibits denser and stronger C−H···O interactions with C 2 H 6 than with C 2 H 4 . This results in the highest experimentally confirmed C 2 H 6 /C 2 H 4 selectivity (2.27) and C 2 H 6 adsorption heat (36.05 kJ/mol) among all reported C 2 H 6 -selective zeolites. Breakthrough experiments validate its superior C 2 H 6 /C 2 H 4 separation performance. Vacuum pressure swing adsorption (PSA) experiments demonstrate its practical efficiency under real-world conditions, while PSA simulations highlight its potential for enhanced recovery. As the first AlPO zeolite developed for C 2 H 6 /C 2 H 4 separation, AlPO 4 -17 offers valuable insights into the design of advanced C 2 H 6 -selective adsorbents, paving the way for more efficient industrial C 2 H 4 purification processes.
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