Light alkane/alkene separation in functionalised UiO-67 metal-organic frameworks

The cost- and energy-efficient C2H6/C2H4 and C3H8/C3H6 separation for high-grade C2H4 and C3H6 has been recently highlighted as one of the most important industrial separation tasks. In this study, UiO-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) is functionalised for the above task as it is among the few adsorbents that show preferred alkane adsorption and is one of the most promising MOFs for industrial applications. Using neutron powder diffraction (NPD) at WISH, we will obtain the crystal structures of gas-loaded functionalised UiO-67. This will enable us to elucidate preferred gas adsorption sites and the interaction between gas molecules and the MOF framework. It will help us to explain the C2H6/C2H4 and C3H8/C3H6 separation mechanisms in functionalised UiO-67. This work will lead to the rational design of industrially important UiO-67 MOFs for an energy-efficient separation economy.