Microporous metal–organic framework with open Cu2+ functional sites and optimized pore size for C2H2 storage and CH4 purification

Abstract

A microporous metal–organic framework (MOF), Cu6(ABTC)3(H2O)6·(DMA)7(H2O)12 (Cu-ABTC, H4ABTC = 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid) was solvothermal obtained and structurally characterized. The activated Cu-ABTC-a exhibits high BET specific surface area of 2366 m2/g. Due to optimized pore space and open Cu2+ functional sites, Cu-ABTC-a displays high C2H2 storage capacity of 208 cm3 g−1 at 298 K and separation selectivities for equimolar C2H2/CH4 and CO2/CH4 at 298 K, respectively.