Enhanced Xe/Kr separation the pore size confinement effect of a microporous thorium-based metal-organic framework

A three-dimensional microporous thorium-based metal-organic framework (Th-BPYDC-I) that features a suitable pore size for Xe was prepared. The pore confinement effect enables high Xe uptake (2.15 mmol g −1 ) and good Xe/Kr selectivity (7.49). This work highlights the critical role of the size-matching rule in noble gas separation and provides an alternative option for Xe/Kr separation. A thorium-based metal-organic framework with a suitable pore size for the uptake of Xe over Kr was developed for efficient Xe/Kr separation.