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Separation of propylene (C 3 H 6 ) from the propylene/propane (C 3 H 8 ) mixture, one of the most significant while daunting industrial separation challenges, is primarily through traditional energy-intensive cryogenic distillation. Herein, we leverage pore engineering in pillared metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (CPL-1, coordination pillared layer, L = pyrazine) to reinforce C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 separation. The MOF-embedded functional group (CPL-1-CH 3, L = methylpyrazine) is suitable for sieving propylene from propane. Particularly, compared to CPL-1, CPL-1-CH 3 exhibits a larger C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 uptake ratio, C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 adsorption selectivity, and stronger binding affinity for C 3 H 6, as evidenced by single component adsorption isotherms and the heat of adsorption calculations. The in-depth molecular study unveils multiple supramolecular interactions that favor C 3 H 6 over C 3 H 8 . Breakthrough experiments prove that CPL-1-CH 3 could efficiently separate the C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 mixture with different ratios. With its impressive adsorption difference, green synthesis method, and cost-effective production, CPL-1-CH 3 holds prospective for alkene/alkane separation. This study provides deep insights to construct and develop high-powered MOF materials to address intricate chemical separation challenges.
Yang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.