The Origin of Selective Adsorption of CO2 on Merlinoite Zeolites

The CO2 adsorption behavior at 25-75 degrees C and 0-1.0 bar of various alkali cation-exchanged forms of merlinoite (framework type MER) zeolites with Si/Al=2.3 and 3.8 is described. The adsorption isotherms at 25 degrees C on the Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ forms of MER zeolite with Si/Al=2.3 are characterized by a clear step, the CO2 pressure of which differs notably according to the type of their extraframework cations. Structural analysis shows that CO2 adsorption on the former three zeolites includes the relocation of gating cations with high site occupancy and the remarkable concomitant structural breathing. We define this unusual adsorption phenomenon as a cooperative cation gating-breathing mechanism. The overall results suggest that the actual mechanism of selective CO2 adsorption on intermediate-silica small-pore zeolites can change from cation gating to cooperative cation gating-breathing to breathing, depending on a combination of their topological and compositional flexibilities.

Automated summary

The CO2 adsorption behavior of various alkali cation-exchanged forms of merlinoite zeolites with Si/Al=2.3 and 3.8 at 25-75 degrees C and 0-1.0 bar is studied. It is found that different forms of extraframework cations in MER zeolites exhibit different CO2 adsorption characteristics, indicating a cooperative cation gating-breathing mechanism.