A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process show great promise in separating argon from air. As research burgeons, the number of MOFs has grown exponentially, rendering the experimental identification of materials with significant gas separation potential imp...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyi Xu, Bingru Xin, Zhongde Dai, Chong Liu, Li Zhou, Xu Ji, Yiyang Dai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/6/412
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author Xiaoyi Xu
Bingru Xin
Zhongde Dai
Chong Liu
Li Zhou
Xu Ji
Yiyang Dai
author_facet Xiaoyi Xu
Bingru Xin
Zhongde Dai
Chong Liu
Li Zhou
Xu Ji
Yiyang Dai
author_sort Xiaoyi Xu
collection DOAJ
description Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process show great promise in separating argon from air. As research burgeons, the number of MOFs has grown exponentially, rendering the experimental identification of materials with significant gas separation potential impractical. This study introduced a high-throughput screening through a two-step strategy based on structure–property relationships, which leveraged Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations, to swiftly and precisely identify high-performance MOF adsorbents capable of separating argon from air among a vast array of MOFs. Compared to traditional approaches for material development and screening, this method significantly reduced both experimental and computational resource requirements. This research pre-screened 12,020 experimental MOFs from a computationally ready experimental MOF (CoRE MOF) database down to 7328 and then selected 4083 promising candidates through structure–performance correlation. These MOFs underwent GCMC simulation assessments, showing superior adsorption performance to traditional molecular sieves. In addition, an in-depth discussion was conducted on the structural characteristics and metal atoms among the best-performing MOFs, as well as the effects of temperature, pressure, and real gas conditions on their adsorption properties. This work provides a new direction for synthesizing next-generation MOFs for efficient argon separation in labs, contributing to energy conservation and consumption reduction in the production of high-purity argon gas.
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series Nanomaterials
spelling doaj-art-1310e9c0b47e4b8299dc99faef2f94152025-08-20T03:43:37ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-03-0115641210.3390/nano15060412A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from AirXiaoyi Xu0Bingru Xin1Zhongde Dai2Chong Liu3Li Zhou4Xu Ji5Yiyang Dai6School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process show great promise in separating argon from air. As research burgeons, the number of MOFs has grown exponentially, rendering the experimental identification of materials with significant gas separation potential impractical. This study introduced a high-throughput screening through a two-step strategy based on structure–property relationships, which leveraged Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations, to swiftly and precisely identify high-performance MOF adsorbents capable of separating argon from air among a vast array of MOFs. Compared to traditional approaches for material development and screening, this method significantly reduced both experimental and computational resource requirements. This research pre-screened 12,020 experimental MOFs from a computationally ready experimental MOF (CoRE MOF) database down to 7328 and then selected 4083 promising candidates through structure–performance correlation. These MOFs underwent GCMC simulation assessments, showing superior adsorption performance to traditional molecular sieves. In addition, an in-depth discussion was conducted on the structural characteristics and metal atoms among the best-performing MOFs, as well as the effects of temperature, pressure, and real gas conditions on their adsorption properties. This work provides a new direction for synthesizing next-generation MOFs for efficient argon separation in labs, contributing to energy conservation and consumption reduction in the production of high-purity argon gas.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/6/412Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulationmetal–organic frameworksargonpressure swing adsorptiongas separation
spellingShingle Xiaoyi Xu
Bingru Xin
Zhongde Dai
Chong Liu
Li Zhou
Xu Ji
Yiyang Dai
A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
Nanomaterials
Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation
metal–organic frameworks
argon
pressure swing adsorption
gas separation
title A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
title_full A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
title_fullStr A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
title_full_unstemmed A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
title_short A Facile Two-Step High-Throughput Screening Strategy of Advanced MOFs for Separating Argon from Air
title_sort facile two step high throughput screening strategy of advanced mofs for separating argon from air
topic Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation
metal–organic frameworks
argon
pressure swing adsorption
gas separation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/6/412
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