Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, Vol.57, No.9, 2610-2613, 2012
Adsorption of Lower Alkanes on a Zinc Based Metal Organic Framework
In this work, we report the gas adsorption properties of C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10, and n-C5H12 on Zn-2(bdc)(2)(dabco)(H2O)(0.5)(DMF)(4) commonly known as ZnDABCO metal organic framework (MOP). Gravimetric adsorption measurements were performed at three different temperatures (294, 314, and 350 K) and a wide pressure range. For the linear alkanes, the isotherms were of Type-I; however, i-C4H10 exhibits a Type-IV isotherm at 294 K. Adsorption capacities on ZnDABCO are found to be higher than that on convention adsorbents like activated carbons and silicalites. The isotherms for linear alkanes were fit to a modified virial model. Enthalpy of adsorption was calculated using model parameters; it increases with loading indicating the role of lateral interactions. As is to be expected, a linear correlation was observed between the polarizability of the adsorbates and the enthalpy at zero loading (vertical interactions).