Qiang Zhang#, Jin-hui Zheng#, Hong-Chan Jiang, Qing-Ling Ni, Ya-Ru Shao, Shi-Ming Li*, Liu-Cheng Gui*, Xiu-Jian Wang*, Tong-Liang Hu*

Cite this article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjsc.2026.101033

Publication date:

Keywords: Metal-organic frameworks; Adsorptive separation; Greenhouse gases capture; Double-microporous channels

ABSTRACT

The efficient capture of greenhouse gases, particularly sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and carbon dioxide (CO2), from nitrogen (N2) streams is a critical yet challenging task in environmental protections. Herein, we report a robust metal-organic framework (MOF), designated as GNU-4, with polarity-complementary dual channels for efficient capture of SF6 and CO2 from N2. Activated GNU-4a demonstrates high equilibrium adsorption capacities of 2.47 mmol g-1 for SF6 and 3.11 mmol g-1 for CO2 at 298 K and 1 bar. Moreover, GNU-4a also exhibits high selectivities of 265.22 and 27.21 for binary SF6/N2 (10/90, v:v) and CO2/N2 (15/85, v:v) mixtures under environmental conditions, respectively. Adsorption kinetic tests further revealed rapid uptake rates for three gases, indicating efficient mass transport within the pore structure. Molecular simulation studies elucidated underlying adsorption mechanisms. The dynamic breakthrough experiments validated efficient separation performances of GNU-4a for binary SF6/N2 and CO2/N2 mixtures, as well as the more complex ternary SF6/CO2/N2 mixture. This work provided some useful insights to develop rational pore construction strategy for addressing complex gas separation challenges.