A copper-based metal-organic framework with a suitable pore environment for effective ethylene purification

Purifying ethylene from an acetylene/ethylene mixture is feasible but challenging because of their similar physical properties. Herein, we synthesized a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF), namely complex 1, that can preferentially adsorb more C2H2 than C2H4. Breakthrough experiments show that complex 1 can purify the acetylene/ethylene mixture into high-purity ethylene (99.99%) and the productivity is 0.48 mmol g(-1). This work shows that a suitable pore environment will greatly enhance the host-guest interaction, to realize the separation of a similar mixture.

Automated summary

In this study, a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized to selectively adsorb acetylene over ethylene. Breakthrough experiments demonstrated that this MOF can effectively purify the acetylene/ethylene mixture, producing high-purity ethylene as the product.