Progress in the Separation and Purification of Carbon Hydrocarbon Compounds Using MOFs and Molecular Sieves

Abstract

Carbon hydrocarbon compounds, especially low-carbon hydrocarbons (C1–C3), are vital raw materials in the petrochemical industry, but their efficient separation has great challenges due to their similar molecular structures and properties. In contrast to traditional low-temperature distillation and absorption separation technologies, selective adsorption employing porous materials as adsorbent has the advantages of low energy consumption, high efficiency, and high selectivity, indicating broad application possibilities in the field of low-carbon hydrocarbon separation. In this paper, the recent progress in the separation and purification of hydrocarbon mixtures by means of the two kinds of porous materials (metal–organic frameworks and molecular sieves) that have been widely used in recent years is reviewed, including purification of methane and separation of ethylene/ethane, propylene/propane, and some high-carbon hydrocarbon isomers. The structure–activity relationships between their chemical composition, structural characteristics, and separation performance are discussed to understand the separation mechanism. In conclusion, the issues encountered in the application of metal–organic frameworks and molecular sieves in the separation of low-carbon hydrocarbons are discussed in light of the current context of “carbon neutrality”.

Rational Fabrication of Benzene-Linked Porous Polymers for Selective CO2 Capture

“…Carbon capture and storage is considered a presumable technology that can separate CO 2 from fossil fuels, thereby reducing the increasing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Generally speaking, the traditional method for removing CO 2 is the 'wet method', namely chemical adsorption, which uses liquid ammonia solutions, such as monoethanolamine [4][5][6], diethanolamine [7,8], and diisopropanolamine [9,10]. However, solvent absorption methods have the disadvantages of severe equipment corrosion, high regeneration energy consumption, and decreased absorption capacity.…”