Molecular Mechanisms behind Acetylene Adsorption and Selectivity in Functional Porous Materials

Since its first industrial production in 1890s, acetylene has played a vital role in manufacturing a wide spectrum of materials. Although current methods and infrastructures for various segments of acetylene industries are well-established, with emerging functional porous materials that enabled desired selectivity toward target molecules, it is of timely interest to develop new efficient technologies to promote safer acetylene processes with a higher energy efficiency and lower carbon footprint. In this Minireview, we, from the perspective of materials chemistry, review state-of-the-art examples of advanced porous materials, namely metal-organic frameworks and decorated zeolites, that have been applied to the purification and storage of acetylene. We also discuss the challenges on the roadmap of translational research in the development of new solid sorbent-based separation technologies and highlight areas which require future research efforts.

Automated summary

Since its first industrial production in the 1890s, acetylene has been crucial in manufacturing various materials. With the development of functional porous materials, such as metal-organic frameworks and decorated zeolites, there is a growing interest in developing new technologies to improve the safety, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint of acetylene processes. This Minireview explores the applications of these advanced porous materials in acetylene purification and storage, discusses the challenges in developing solid sorbent-based separation technologies, and identifies areas for future research efforts.