Selective sorting of hexane isomers by anion-functionalized metal-organic frameworks with optimal energy regulation.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38521770.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-024-46738-2 and PMC identifier 10960857.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Extensive efforts have been made to improve the separation selectivity of hydrocarbon isomers with nearly distinguishable boiling points; however, how to balance the high regeneration energy consumption remains a daunting challenge. Here we describe the efficient separation of hexane isomers by constructing and exploiting the rotational freedom of organic linkers and inorganic SnF<sub>6</sub><sup>2-</sup> anions within adaptive frameworks, and reveal the nature of flexible host-guest interactions to maximize the gas-framework interactions while achieving potential energy storage. This approach enables the discrimination of hexane isomers according to the degree of branching along with high capacity and record mono-/di-branched selectivity (6.97), di-branched isomers selectivity (22.16), and upgrades the gasoline to a maximum RON (Research Octane Number) of 105. Benefitting from the energy regulation of the flexible pore space, the material can be easily regenerated only through a simple vacuum treatment for 15 minutes at 25 °C with no temperature fluctuation, saving almost 45% energy compared to the commercialized zeolite 5 A. This approach could potentially revolutionize the whole scenario of alkane isomer separation processes.