The analysis teams, led by Prof. Susumu Kitagawa at Kyoto College in Japan and Prof. Fengting Li at Tongji College in China, have been collaborating on environment friendly molecule recognition and environmentally pleasant separation processes utilizing selective adsorption applied sciences and porous supplies. On this collaboration, we have now developed two methods to date: the structural-deformation-energy-modulation technique in gentle PCPs for controllable molecular recognition (revealed in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. in 2020) and the host-guest interplay modulation technique in PCPs for inverse gasoline separation (revealed in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. in 2021). In our latest publication in Nature Communications in 2023, we focus on the newest progress of our analysis on unique molecular recognition in a gentle porous coordination community.

Incorporating exact molecule recognition properties into porous supplies is essential for numerous functions^1,2. Porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a wonderful platform for molecular recognition and separation on account of their inherent porous properties^3-5. PCPs with inflexible channels can type molecules of various sizes primarily based on the molecular sieving mechanism^6,7. The interplay websites inside PCPs additionally contribute to their recognition properties by means of particular host-guest interactions^8,9. Not too long ago, versatile PCPs that exhibit guest-triggered structural transformations have gained vital consideration in recognition functions^10-12. Nonetheless, reaching selective uptake of just one goal visitor from multicomponent mixtures, whatever the sizes and affinities of different competing species, stays a problem¹³.

Fig. 1 | Versatile framework with restricted narrow-corrugated channel for Unique CO₂ Recognition.

We envisioned that by synergistically using all obtainable recognition mechanisms by means of the manipulation of the energetic and stereochemical options of PCPs, we may obtain superior recognition efficiency. As proof of this idea, we have now designed a versatile porous coordination polymer (PCP) with a corrugated-channel system (Fig. 1) that reveals an unique discrimination gating (EDG) impact for CO₂ over 9 related gasoline molecules, together with N₂, CH₄, CO, O₂, H₂, Ar, C₂H₆, and even higher-affinity gases reminiscent of C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ (Fig. 2). Mechanistic investigations point out that the optimum cooperation of stereochemical form, location of binding websites, and structural softness, achieved by designing narrow-corrugated channel constructions in gentle porous supplies, results in such unprecedented recognition effectivity.

Fig. 2 | Adsorption isotherms of N₂, CO₂, CH₄, CO, O₂, H₂, Ar, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, and C₂H₆ at low temperatures.

For extra particulars on this work, please discuss with our publication titled “Delicate Corrugated Channel with Synergistic Unique Discrimination Gating for CO₂ Recognition in Fuel Combination” in Nature Communications.

Reference

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