CuAlCl4 doped MIL-101 as a high capacity CO adsorbent with selectivity over N2

A CuAlCl4 doped metal organic framework, CuAlCl4@MIL-101, was prepared by introducing CuAlCl4 into the pores of MIL-101 for the selective adsorption of CO over N2. The CuAlCl4 molecules were evenly distributed into various pores sizes and did not change the intrinsic structure of the MIL-101. Isotherms for CO and N2 adsorption at 298 K showed that the CO capacity on CuAlCl4@MIL-101 was much higher than that on virgin MIL-101, whereas the N2 capacity decreased. The selectivity for CO over N2 improved from 4.64 to 31.5 at 298 K and 1 bar. The CuAlCl4@MIL-101 adsorbent displayed outstanding CO adsorption stability and the adsorbent could be regenerated by applying a simple vacuum of 4 mmHg.