A robust Th-azole framework for highly efficient purification of C2H4 from a C2H4/C2H2/C2H6 mixture

Separation of C2H4 from C2H4/C2H2/C2H6 mixture with high working capacity is still a challenging task. Herein, we deliberately design a Th-metal-organic framework (MOF) for highly efficient separation of C2H4 from a binary C2H6/C2H4 and ternary C2H4/C2H2/C2H6 mixture. The synthesized MOF Azole-Th-1 shows a UiO-66-type structure with fcu topology built on a Th6 secondary building unit and a tetrazole-based linker. Such noticeable structure, is connected by a N,O-donor ligand with high chemical stability. At 100 kPa and 298 K Azole-Th-1 performs excellent separation of C2H4 (purity > 99.9%) from not only a binary C2H6/C2H4 (1:9, v/v) mixture but also a ternary mixture of C2H6/C2H2/C2H4 (9:1:90, v/v/v), and the corresponding working capacity can reach up to 1.13 and 1.34 mmol g−1, respectively. The separation mechanism, as unveiled by the density functional theory calculation, is due to a stronger van der Waals interaction between ethane and the MOF skeleton. Separation of ethylene from C2 ternary mixture with high working capacity is a challenging task. Here, the authors report a Th-azole framework (Azole-Th-1) for highly efficient purification of ethylene from C2H4/C2H6 and C2H4/C2H2/C2H6 mixtures, respectively.