Synergistic sorbent separation for one-step ethylene purification from a four-component mixture

TLDR

Purifying ethylene from acetylene, ethane, and CO₂ is an energy‑intensive process. The authors employ a mixture of microporous metal‑organic framework physisorbents, each selective for one of the four gases. Packed‑bed sorbent series achieved ethylene purity sufficient for polymer production. Chen et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Selecting for ethylene Purification of ethylene from other gases produced during its synthesis, such as acetylene, ethane, and carbon dioxide, is an energy-intensive process. Chen et al. use a mixture of microporous metal-organic framework physisorbents that are selective for one of these four gases. A series of sorbents in a packed-bed geometry produced ethylene pure enough for making polymers. Science , this issue p. 241