Effect of Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids on CO2 Separation by a Cu-BTC Metal–Organic Framework

We report a molecular simulation study aimed to ascertain the effect exerted in gas adsorption when room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are added into the pores of the Cu-BTC metal-organic framework (MOF). Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen, and their mixtures are studied. We take into account the influence of the type of anion and the relative amount of RTILs used. It is observed that the presence of RTILs in the MOF pores enhances significantly CO2 adsorption at low pressures, whereas methane and nitrogen adsorption is unaffected.