Accelerated nucleation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate in presence of ZIF-61

Clathrate hydrate can be used in energy gas storage and transportation, CO2 capture and cool storage etc. However, these technologies are difficult to be used due to the low formation rate and long induction time of hydrate formation. In this paper, ZIF-61 (zeolite imidazolate framework, ZIF) was first used in hydrate formation to stimulate hydrate nucleation. As an additive of clathrate hydrate, ZIF-61 promoted obviously the acceleration of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate nucleation. It shortened the induction time of THF hydrate formation from 2-5 h to 0.3-1 h mainly due to the template function of ZIF-61 by which the nucleation of THF hydrate has been promoted.