Enhancement of CO2/CH4 selectivity in metal-organic frameworks containing lithium cations

Incorporation of Li cations into MOFs by either of two methods, chemical reduction or cation exchange, significantly improves the CO2/CH4 selectivity. While the selectivity enhancement by the chemical reduction seems to come from favorable displacement of catenated frameworks, the selectivity improvement by the Li cation exchange comes from enhanced solid–gas interactions.

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► Li cations were incorporated into MOFs by chemical reduction or cation exchange.
► Both methods significantly improve the CO2/CH4 selectivity.
► The first experimental report for CO2/CH4 separation by cation-doped MOFs.