Pore engineering via controlled decomposition of counter cations in an anion-based metal-organic framework
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Manipulating the organic counter cations, which serve as pore gatekeepers to selectively obstruct the channels in anionic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), offers a highly effective strategy for optimizing the separation performance. Here, we report an yttrium-based MOF, Y-ebdc, featuring cage-type structures that accommodate protonated dimethylamine (DMA) as both counter cations and molecular sieving gates. Subsequent optimization of the adsorption separation performance for propylene/propane (C3H6/C3H8) was achieved through regulation of DMA’s thermal decomposition. The temperature dependence of DMA decomposition was elucidated using temperature-resolved in situ infrared spectroscopy and breakthrough studies. With approximately 70% of DMA removed, the expanded aperture window and increased pore volume remarkably enhance dynamic C3H6 uptake while simultaneously facilitating the direct production of polymer-grade (>99.5%) C3H6 in a single adsorption–desorption cycle. This study exemplifies how engineering the pore environment via co-existing counter cations within MOFs can effectively boost gas adsorption and separation performance.
Source: Nano Research
Authors: Zongkai Liu, Bingquan Hua, Tianyou Lu, Guanying Dong, Jingwei Hou, Xiaoquan Feng, Yatao Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,290
OpenAlex ID: W4415836416