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Refinement of pore size at sub-angstrom precision in robust metal–organic frameworks for separation of xylenes
Li, Xiaolin Wang, Juehua Bai, Nannan Zhang, Xinran; orcid: 0000-0002-0734-6173 Han, Xue da Silva, Ivan; orcid: 0000-0002-4472-9675 Morris, Christopher G. Xu, Shaojun; orcid: 0000-0002-8026-8714 Wilary, Damian M. Sun, Yinyong; orcid: 0000-0002-5570-5089
Li, Xiaolin
Wang, Juehua
Bai, Nannan
Zhang, Xinran; orcid: 0000-0002-0734-6173
Han, Xue
da Silva, Ivan; orcid: 0000-0002-4472-9675
Morris, Christopher G.
Xu, Shaojun; orcid: 0000-0002-8026-8714
Wilary, Damian M.
Sun, Yinyong; orcid: 0000-0002-5570-5089
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2020-08-27
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2019-07-23
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Abstract
Abstract: The demand for xylenes is projected to increase over the coming decades. The separation of xylene isomers, particularly p- and m-xylenes, is vital for the production of numerous polymers and materials. However, current state-of-the-art separation is based upon fractional crystallisation at 220 K which is highly energy intensive. Here, we report the discrimination of xylene isomers via refinement of the pore size in a series of porous metal–organic frameworks, MFM-300, at sub-angstrom precision leading to the optimal kinetic separation of all three xylene isomers at room temperature. The exceptional performance of MFM-300 for xylene separation is confirmed by dynamic ternary breakthrough experiments. In-depth structural and vibrational investigations using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and terahertz spectroscopy define the underlying host–guest interactions that give rise to the observed selectivity (p-xylene < o-xylene < m-xylene) and separation factors of 4.6–18 for p- and m-xylenes.
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Nature Communications, volume 11, issue 1, page 4280
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Nature Publishing Group UK
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From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications Router
History: received 2019-07-23, accepted 2020-07-06, registration 2020-07-14, pub-electronic 2020-08-27, online 2020-08-27, collection 2020-12
Publication status: Published
Funder: RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/I011870
Funder: EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100010663; Grant(s): 742401
History: received 2019-07-23, accepted 2020-07-06, registration 2020-07-14, pub-electronic 2020-08-27, online 2020-08-27, collection 2020-12
Publication status: Published
Funder: RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/I011870
Funder: EC | EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation H2020 | H2020 Priority Excellent Science | H2020 European Research Council (H2020 Excellent Science - European Research Council); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100010663; Grant(s): 742401