Linker-Guided Growth of Single-Crystal Covalent Organic Frameworks.

The core features of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystallinity and porosity. However, the synthesis of single-crystal COFs with monomers of diverse reactivity and adjustment of their pore structures remain challenging. Here, we show that linkers that can react with a node to form single-crystal COFs can guide other linkers that form either COFs or amorphous polymers with the node to gain single-crystal COFs with mixed components, which are homogeneous on the unit cell scale with controlled ratios. With the linker-guided crystal growth method, we created nine types of single-crystal COFs with up to nine different components, which are more complex than any known crystal. The structure of the crystal adapted approximately to that of the main component, and its pore volume could be expanded up to 8.8%. Different components lead to complex and diverse pore structures and offer the possibilities to gain positive synergies, as exemplified by a bicomponent COF with 2200 and 733% SO2 uptake capacity of that of the two pure-component counterparts at 298 K and 0.002 bar. The selectivity for separation of SO2/CO2 ranges from 1230 to 4247 for flue gas based on ideal adsorbed solution theory, recording porous crystals. The bicomponent COF also exhibits a 1300% retention time of its pure-component counterparts for SO2 in a dynamic column breakthrough experiment for deep desulfurization.

Microporous Fluorinated MOF with Multiple Adsorption Sites for Efficient Recovery of C2H6 and C3H8 from Natural Gas.

Purifying C2H6/C3H8 from a ternary natural gas mixture through adsorption separation is an important but challenging process in the petrochemical industry. To address this challenge, the industry is exploring effective strategies for designing high-performance adsorbents. In this study, we present two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), DMOF-TF and DMOF-(CF3)2, which have fluorinated pores obtained by substituting linker ligands in the host material. This pore engineering strategy not only provides suitable pore confinement but also enhances the adsorption capacities for C2H6/C3H8 by providing additional binding sites. Theoretical calculations and transient breakthrough experiments show that the introduction of F atoms not only improves the efficiency of natural gas separation but also provides multiple adsorption sites for C2H6/C3H8-framework interactions.

Capture Fluorocarbon and Chlorofluorocarbon from Air Using DUT-67 for Safety and Semi-Quantitative Analysis.

Fluoro- and chlorofluorocabons (FC/CFCs) are important refrigerants, solvents, and fluoropolymers in industry while being toxic and carrying high global warming potential. Detection and reclamation of FC/CFCs based on adsorption technology with highly selective adsorbents is important to labor safety and environmental protection. Herein, the study reports an integrated method to combine capture, separation, enrichment, and analysis of representative FC/CFCs (chlorodifluoromethane(R22) and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a)) by using the highly stable and porous Zr-MOF, DUT-67. Gas adsorption and breakthrough experiments demonstrate that DUT-67 has high R22/R134a uptake (124/116 cm3 g-1) and excellent R22/R134a/CO2 separation performance (IAST selectivities of R22/CO2 and R134a/CO2 ranging from 51.4 to 33.3, and 31.1 to 25.8), even in rather low concentration and humid conditions. A semi-quantitative analysis protocol is set up to analyze the low concentrations of R22/R134a based on the high selective R22/R134a adsorption ability, fast adsorption kinetics, water-resistant utility, facile regeneration, and excellent recyclability of DUT-67. In situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction, theoretical calculations, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra have been employed to understand the adsorption mechanism. This work may provide a potential adsorbent for purge and trap technique under room temperature, thus promoting the application of MOFs for VOCs sampling and quantitative analysis.

Anionic Ni-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Li(I) Cations in the Pores for Efficient C2H2/CO2 Separation.

Acetylene (C2H2) is widely used as a raw material for producing various downstream commodities in the petrochemical and electronic industry. Therefore, the acquisition of high-purity C2H2 from a C2H2/CO2 mixture produced by partial methane combustion or thermal hydrocarbon cracking is of great significance yet highly challenging due to their similar physical and chemical properties. Herein, we report an anionic metal-organic framework (MOF) named LIFM-210, which has Li+ cations in the pores and shows a higher adsorption affinity for C2H2 than CO2. LIFM-210 is constructed by a unique tetranuclear Ni(II) cluster acting as a 10-connected node and an organic ligand acting as a 5-connected node. Single-component adsorption and transient breakthrough experiments demonstrate the good C2H2 selective separation performance of LIFM-210. Theoretical calculations revealed that Li+ ions strongly prefer C2H2 to CO2 and are primary adsorption sites, playing vital roles in the selective separation of C2H2/CO2.