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A Metal–Organic Framework Based Methane Nano‐trap for the Capture of Coal‐Mine Methane
Author(s) -
Niu Zheng,
Cui Xili,
Pham Tony,
Lan Pui Ching,
Xing Huabin,
Forrest Katherine A.,
Wojtas Lukasz,
Space Brian,
Ma Shengqian
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201904507
Subject(s) - methane , alkyl , adsorption , chemistry , greenhouse gas , coal , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , geology , oceanography , engineering
As a major greenhouse gas, methane, which is directly vented from the coal‐mine to the atmosphere, has not yet drawn sufficient attention. To address this problem, we report a methane nano‐trap that features oppositely adjacent open metal sites and dense alkyl groups in a metal–organic framework (MOF). The alkyl MOF‐based methane nano‐trap exhibits a record‐high methane uptake and CH 4 /N 2 selectivity at 298 K and 1 bar. The methane molecules trapped within the alkyl MOF were crystalographically identified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments, which in combination with molecular simulation studies unveiled the methane adsorption mechanism within the MOF‐based nano‐trap. The IAST calculations and the breakthrough experiments revealed that the alkyl MOF‐based methane nano‐trap is a new benchmark for CH 4 /N 2 separation, thereby providing a new perspective for capturing methane from coal‐mine methane to recover fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.