An ultra-stable Zr(IV)-MOF for highly efficient capture of SO2 from SO2/CO2 and SO2/CH4 mixtures

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2022-03, Vol.431, p.134057, Article 134057
• Main Authors: Ren, Ya-Bin, Xu, Hao-Yu, Gang, Shu-Qi, Gao, Yong-Jun, Jing, Xu, Du, Jian-Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breakthrough experiment; IAST selectivity; Metal-organic framework; SO2 adsorption; Theoretical simulation
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.134057

[Display omitted] •A novel ultra-stable Zr(IV)-MOF (HBU-20) was synthesized by solvothermal method.•HBU-20 shows highly efficient capture of SO2 over CO2 and CH4.•Theoretical simulations exhibit the importance of host–guest weak interactions.•Gas breakthrough experiments prove its’ application in deep desulfurization. Flue gas and natural gas deep desulfurization is still very challenging, so new absorbent is highly desired. In this work, a novel stable porous Zr(IV)-MOF (HBU-20) has been designed and synthesized. HBU-20 possesses a high BET surface area of 1551.1 m2/g and the pore volume achieves 0.896 cm3/g. More importantly, the compound shows a high SO2 adsorption capacity of 6.69 mmol/g at 298 K and 100 kPa, and the higher IAST selectivitives of SO2/CO2 (v/v, 1:99, 56.7) and SO2/CH4 (v/v 1:99, 246) have been accordingly obtained. Theoretical simulations proved host–guest interactions should be responsible for efficient SO2 capture. Furthermore, the excellent separation performance of HBU-20 had also been evaluated by dynamic breakthrough experiments under ambient condition. The experimental selectivities of SO2/CO2 and SO2/CH4 (v/v 1:99) achieve 81.1 and 117.6, respectively. The research indicates HBU-20 is a promising absorbent for deep desulfurization of flue gas and natural gas.