Expanding MOF with Unexpanded Channel via Ketone Decorated Ligand for Ethylene Purification and Stability Enhancement

The concept of an expanding MOF with unexpanded channel size was realized in MOF NTUniv-61 by the utilization of a ketone-functional-group-decorated semirigid ligand and pillar-layer platform. After this unusual expansion, the preferential C₂H₆ adsorption was preserved via the unchanged pore size, and the functional group was inserted into the MOF. Interestingly, the C₂H₂ uptake ability, C₂H₄ selective adsorption ability, and structural stability were obviously enhanced due to the incorporation of the ketone functional group, which were further verified by isosteric heats of adsorption (Q_st), GCMC modeling, and breakthrough experiments.