Metal Complex Adsorbent for Gas Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas-adsorbent materials and separation systems face limitations in achieving high adsorption capacity, storage efficiency, and separation performance for mixed gases, leading to larger apparatus sizes and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A metal complex composed of two specific dicarboxylic acid compounds, a metal ion from Group 2 and Groups 7 to 12, and an organic ligand capable of bidentate binding, which forms a three-dimensional structure with interpenetrated jungle-gym-type frameworks, enhancing adsorption, storage, and separation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional adsorbent materials are used for gas separation, then the separation process can be implemented, but the separation coefficient decreases and the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption capacityVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the adsorbent material by introducing specific functional groups (amino groups, carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups) and metal complexes to enhance the adsorption capacity per unit volume, thereby increasing the quantity of gas adsorbed without proportionally increasing the apparatus size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite adsorbent materials combining organic compounds with specific functional groups and metal complexes (such as copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese, or calcium ions) to create a material with superior adsorption properties that achieves high adsorption capacity in a compact form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If conventional adsorbent materials are used for gas separation, then the separation process can be implemented, but the separation coefficient decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidseparation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces specific functional groups (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl) at local sites on the adsorbent material surface and within the metal complex structure to create localized high-affinity regions for specific gases, thereby enhancing the separation coefficient through localized chemical interactions rather than uniform physical adsorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the adsorbent by incorporating metal ions with specific coordination chemistry properties and organic ligands that can selectively bind to target gases, changing the interaction mechanism from weak physical adsorption to stronger chemical adsorption with higher selectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If pressure swing adsorption process is used for gas separation, then gas separation can be achieved, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas separation capabilityVSAvoidapparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the adsorption parameters by using materials with higher adsorption capacity and selectivity, allowing the same gas separation productivity to be achieved in a smaller apparatus volume, or alternatively enabling enhanced productivity within the same footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The metal complex demonstrates superior adsorption and storage performance for various gases, including CO2, H2, O2, and hydrocarbons, and achieves efficient separation of gas mixtures, reducing apparatus size and costs by optimizing gas adsorption and desorption processes.

Implementation Method 1

a metal complex comprising: two different dicarboxylic acid compounds (I-1) and (I-2) each of which is selected from a dicarboxylic acid compound (I)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

an organic ligand capable of bidentate binding to the metal ion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2746248B1Metal complex and adsorbent material, storage material, and separating material comprising same
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 KURARAY CO LTD
  • EP2746248B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2746248B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2746248B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The problem of providing a metal complex having excellent gas adsorption performance, gas storage performance, and gas separation performance is solved by a metal complex comprising a dicarboxylic acid compound (I) including 20 to 99 mole % of a dicarboxylic acid compound (I-1) selected from terephthalic acid derivatives having an electron-donating group in the 2nd position such as 2-methoxyterephthalic acid, 2-methylterephthalic acid, and terephthalic acid, and 80 to 1 mole % of a dicarboxylic acid compound (I-2) selected from terephthalic acid derivatives having an electron-withdrawing group in the 2nd position such as 2-nitroterephthalic acid, 2-fluoroterephthalic acid, 2-chloroterephthalic acid, 2-bromoterephthalic acid, and 2-iodoterephthalic acid; at least one kind of metal ion selected from metal ions belonging to Group 2 and Groups 7 to 12 of the periodic table; and an organic ligand capable of bidentate binding to the metal ion.