Fine Tuning of MOF-505 Analogues To Reduce Low-Pressure Methane Uptake and Enhance Methane Working Capacity

We present a crystal engineering strategy to fine tune the pore chemistry and CH4-storage performance of a family of isomorphic MOFs based upon PCN-14. These MOFs exhibit similar pore size, pore surface, and surface area (around 3000 m2 g−1) and were prepared with the goal to enhance CH4 working capacity. [Cu2(L2)(H2O)2]n (NJU-Bai 41: NJU-Bai for Nanjing University Bai's group), [Cu2(L3)(H2O)2]n (NJU-Bai 42), and [Cu2(L4)(DMF)2]n (NJU-Bai 43) were prepared and we observed that the CH4 volumetric working capacity and volumetric uptake values are influenced by subtle changes in structure and chemistry. In particular, the CH4 working capacity of NJU-Bai 43 reaches 198 cm3 (STP: 273.15 K, 1 atm) cm−3 at 298 K and 65 bar, which is amongst the highest reported for MOFs under these conditions and is much higher than the corresponding value for PCN-14 (157 cm3 (STP) cm−3).