Functionalized metal–organic and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks for C2H4/C2H6 separation

Porous materials have shown great promise in the development of cost- and energy-efficient separation processes, particularly for the challenging industrial purification of ethylene from an ethylene/ethane mixture. This review has summarized the latest development in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) for C2H4/C2H6 separation, including the strategies to improve adsorption capacity and separation selectivity, as well as their efficient separation of gas mixtures in various practical environments. The separation mechanism of C2H4/C2H6 in different adsorbents has also been highlighted, along with the discussion on various adsorbents' challenges and future developments.