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Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Mark ThomasORCiD, Jayne Armstrong, Dr Jon Bell
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The separation of molecules with similar size and shape is an important technological challenge. For example, rare gases can pose either an economic opportunity or an environmental hazard and there is a need to separate these spherical molecules selectively at low concentrations in air. Likewise, chiral molecules are important building blocks for pharmaceuticals, but chiral enantiomers, by definition, have identical size and shape, and their separation can be challenging. Here we show that a porous organic cage molecule has unprecedented performance in the solid state for the separation of rare gases, such as krypton and xenon. The selectivity arises from a precise size match between the rare gas and the organic cage cavity, as predicted by molecular simulations. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate real practical potential for the separation of krypton, xenon and radon from air at concentrations of only a few parts per million. We also demonstrate selective binding of chiral organic molecules such as 1-phenylethanol, suggesting applications in enantioselective separation.
Author(s): Chen L, Reiss PS, Chong SY, Holden D, Jelfs KE, Hasell T, Little MA, Kewley A, Briggs ME, Stephenson A, Thomas KM, Armstrong JA, Bell J, Busto J, Noel R, Liu J, Strachan DM, Thallapally PK, Cooper AI
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Nature Materials
Year: 2014
Volume: 13
Pages: 954-960
Print publication date: 01/10/2014
Online publication date: 20/07/2014
Acceptance date: 16/06/2014
ISSN (print): 1476-1122
ISSN (electronic): 1476-4660
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NMAT4035
DOI: 10.1038/NMAT4035
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