Selective Adsorption of Volatile Hydrocarbons and Gases in High Surface Area Chalcogels Containing [ES3]3- Anions (E = As, Sb)

We describe the solgel synthesis of the two new chalcogels KFeSbS3 and NaFeAsS3, which demonstrate excellent adsorption selectivity for volatile hydrocarbons and gases. These predominantly mesoporous materials have been synthesized by reacting Fe(OAc)(2) with K3SbS3 or Na3AsS3 in a formamide/water mixture at room temperature. Aerogels obtained after supercritical drying have BET surface areas of 636 m(2)/g and 505 m(2)/g for KFeSbS3 and NaFeAsS3, respectively, with pore sizes in the micro- (below 2 nm), meso- (250 nm), and macro- (above 50 nm) regions.