Dense packing of xenon in an ultra-microporous metal–organic framework for benchmark xenon capture and separation

• Unique pore structure enables the dense packing of Xe inside pores. Both high sorption capacity and Xe/Kr selectivity are achieved. The highest storage density at ambient conditions. For adsorptive separation xenon/krypton mixture, it still remains a daunting challenge to target both adsorption in single adsorbent because their close size inert nature. Herein, we report an ultra-microporous alkyl Cu-based MOF-11 with suitable architecture for benchmark capture separation. features small channels (4.4 Å) kinetic diameter Xe, which large number cavities oppositely adjacent open Cu-metal sites densely arranged along staggered mode. Such unique system can not only introduce strong binding affinity but also enable This material shows 2826 g L ?1 conditions, record-high uptake (4.0 mmol 0.2 bar 298 K) one (19.1). locations within were visually identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment, unveils mechanism pores accountable record capacity. breakthrough experiments confirm that exhibits exceptional performance 20/80 mixture (3.46 ) Kr productivity (350 cm 3 ).