Adsorption of volatile organic compounds by metal-organic frameworks MIL-101: Influence of molecular size and shape

► A porous adsorbent, MIL-101, having huge Langmuir surface area of 5870 m2/g and pore volume of 1.85 cm3/g, was synthesized. ► We observed that MIL-101 is a potential superior adsorbent for the sorptive removal of VOCs. ► Adsorption of VOCs on MIL-101 is captured by a pore filling mechanism, showing the size and shape selectivity of molecules. ► There is a negative linear relationship between the volume adsorption capacity of VOCs and their molecular cross-sectional area. ► The size and shape selectivity of VOC molecules into MIL-101 pores is important in the application of MIL-101 as VOC adsorbent.