CuBTC Metal–Organic Framework Modified with Functionalized Activated Carbon for Improved CO₂/H₂ Selectivity

Esfandiari, Kourosh

doi:10.22034/a-see.2025.2066417.1003

CuBTC Metal–Organic Framework Modified with Functionalized Activated Carbon for Improved CO₂/H₂ Selectivity

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Kourosh Esfandiari

Department of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran

10.22034/a-see.2025.2066417.1003

Abstract

This study explores the solvothermal synthesis and gas separation performance of composite materials composed of CuBTC, a prototypical metal–organic framework, and functionalized activated carbon (AC). The materials were prepared with varying amounts of AC to assess their effectiveness in selective CO₂/H₂ separation. Selectivity measurements were conducted using a volumetric–chromatographic approach. Structural and morphological properties of the composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The XRD data confirmed that the crystalline integrity of CuBTC remained unchanged in the presence of AC, indicating compatibility between the two components. Notably, the composite containing 0.050 g of functionalized AC exhibited a CO₂/H₂ separation factor of approximately 32, which is more than twice that of pristine CuBTC (~15) under ambient conditions (298 K, low pressure). The enhanced separation performance is attributed to carbonyl and nitro groups on the AC surface, which promote preferential CO₂ adsorption within the CuBTC–AC composite structure.

Graphical Abstract