A comprehensive study on the kinetics and isotherms of D2/H2 adsorptive separation using pure and composite Cu-BDC-NH2 MOFs at 77 K

Pure and composite Cu-Amino-terephthalate MOF has been produced by ultrasound wave to evaluate the adsorption capacity and adsorptive separation of D2 and H2 at 77 K up to 1000 mbar. The frameworks are characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, ICP, BET, and EDX analysis. Separation studies were performed using idealized adsorption solution theory (IAST) and direct measurements. Isotherm studies showed the data had good agreement with the Langmuir model and the adsorption capacity of deuterium was greater than hydrogen in all samples. Linear Driving Force (LDF) model was applied to investigate the effective diffusion coefficients of deuterium and hydrogen in the frameworks. The LDF model showed hydrogen molecules diffused faster than deuterium molecules in all frameworks. In the adsorption enthalpy studies, there was a slight difference between deuterium and hydrogen adsorption energy. In this regard, Cu-BDC-NH2@rGO showed a higher adsorption enthalpy difference compared to Cu-BDC-NH2. Finally, the D2/H2 selectivity of the composite framework was greater than the pure one. Regarding this matter, the Cu-BDC-NH2@rGO MOF showed a maximum selectivity factor of about 2.2 at 77 K and 1000 mbar based on the IAST model.