Conclusion
In summary, we synthesized a microporous metal-organic framework, Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5 and investigated its separation performance for recovery low content of C2H6 and C3H8 from natural gas. The as-synthesized Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5 showed good thermal stability, solvent stability and humid stability under RH = 100%. Due to the strong interaction between the framework and the guest molecule, the gate opening behavior of C3H8adsorption on the Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5 was observed and the remarkably high capacities of 2.80 mmol/g at 1 kPa and 3.37 mmol/g at 5 kPa were obtained. The IAST-predicted selectivity of Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5 reached as high as 274 for C3H8/CH4 (5:85, v/v) and 29 for C2H6/CH4 (10:85). The breakthrough experiment revealed that simulated gas mixture of C1/C2/C3 was well separated on the Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5material. The molecular simulation further confirmed the methylene groups and methyl groups played a crucial role on C3H8 and C2H6 adsorption. This work unveils that the Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5 with good stability and unique pore environment is a promising material for recovering ethane and propane from natural gas or other hydrocarbon separation. Looking ahead, the shaping of Ni(TMBDC)(DABCO)0.5, for example, from powder to spherical adsorbents with excellent mechanical strength, is undergoing in our group, which is necessary before practical applications.