Efficient\nSeparation of Trace SO₂ from\nSO₂/CO₂/N₂ Mixtures in a Th-Based\nMOF

Abstract

The emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from\nflue gases\nis harmful since trace SO₂ impairs human health and the\nnatural environment. Therefore, developing new metal organic frameworks\n(MOFs) to capture this toxic molecule is of great importance in flue\ngas desulfurization. In this work, we synthesized a new MOF, namely, <b>ECUT-Th-60</b>, which consists of two distinct channels (3.0 Å\n× 4.1 Å and 2.3 Å × 4.8 Å). It shows SO₂ uptakes of around 2.5 mmol/g at 0.1 kPa and 3.35 mmol/g at\n1 bar, which are higher than those of CO₂ and N₂ under identical conditions. Both simulated and experimental breakthrough\ntests proved that <b>ECUT-Th-60</b> can separate trace SO₂ from SO₂/CO₂ mixtures. Impressively,\ncomplete separation of SO₂ from SO₂/CO₂/N₂ mixtures under both dry and humid conditions was also\nproved in <b>ECUT-Th-60</b>, predicting its potential application\nin flue gas desulfurization.