A review of fluorocarbon sorption on porous materials

Fluorocarbons have commonly been used for refrigerants, coolants, fire-suppressants, propellants, semiconductors, fluoropolymers, and other applications since the early 20th century. However, starting in the late 1980s these chemicals have been highly regulated due to environmental concerns over ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP). Porous materials such as zeolites, activated carbons, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the current sorbents being studied to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including fluorocarbons and carbon dioxide. Recent legislation now requires the reduction of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants over the next two decades to reduce global warming which makes environmental remediation a relevant issue. An extensive literature search has been conducted for fluorocarbon sorption in porous materials to better understand current and prior separation technologies that can reduce climate change. This review article discusses applications for which fluorocarbon sorption is reported and encompasses both academic and patent literature from the late 1940s to present. Pure gas sorption of straight-chain paraffinic and olefinic fluorocarbons as well as zeotropic, azeotropic, and isomeric mixture separations is reviewed. Additional topics including molecular interactions, reactivity, and molecular modeling are discussed in detail.