A Stable Interpenetrated Zn-MOF with Efficient Light Hydrocarbon Adsorption/Separation Performance

The design of MOFs with functionalized groups as well as suitable pore space plays a momentous part in gas adsorption and separation. Herein, a new Zn-MOF (Zn-4(BTB-NH2)(3)center dot xsolvent, UPC-98, H3BTB-NH2 = 2'-amino-5'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-[1,1':3',1 ''-terphenyl]-4,4 ''-dicarboxylic acid) was synthesized successfully by an amino-functionalized ligand (H3BTB-NH2) for light hydrocarbon adsorption and separation application. UPC-98 with twofold interpenetrating structure retains relatively high thermal stability and acid-base stability, which can be stable in aqueous solutions (pH = 4-9) and air environment at 250 degrees C. Interestingly, UPC-98 with micropore of 4-5 angstrom displays a high uptake of C3H8 (118.4 cm(3)center dot g(-1)) and C3H6 (120.5 cm(3)center dot g(-1)) at 273 K and exhibits excellent adsorption selectivity of C-3/C-1 and C-2/C-1. The effective separation performance for C2H2/C2H4 is confirmed via breakthrough experiments.