n-Butane adsorption on Cu3(btc)2 and MIL-101

The n-butane adsorption capacity and heat of adsorption for the metal–organic frameworks Cu3(btc)2 (btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) and MIL-101 was determined at three different temperatures (293, 303, and 313 K) under dynamic conditions at atmospheric pressure with a micro-balance combined with a Tian-Calvet micro-calorimeter. The adsorption rate was studied at the adsorption temperature of 293 K. The n-butane adsorption properties were compared with activated carbon Sorbonorit 3.For low n-butane concentration the microporous Cu3(btc)2 has a higher storage capacity than the mesoporous material MIL-101. For high n-butane concentrations it is vice versa. The saturation capacity at 293 K for Cu3(btc)2 is 3.7 mmol g−1 and for MIL-101 remarkable 11.2 mmol g−1. The storage capacity and adsorption rate depends on the alkane concentration. For higher n-butane concentration MIL-101 has a higher adsorption rate than Cu3(btc)2 independent on the amount of adsorbed n-butane.