2017 Publication Highlights!

We have been delighted to read so many articles published by our customers this year, which demonstrate the quality of data obtained from Hiden Isochema sorption analyzers in diverse research areas.

IGA, IMI and XEMIS sorption analyzers have been extensively used to measure gas and vapor sorption isotherms and kinetics in novel porous materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and related porous co-ordination materials continue to attract a considerable amount of attention, with data reported including methane adsorption isotherms to 90 bar measured using a XEMIS [1], and a detailed study of the adsorption-induced structural changes with carbon dioxide and methane using an IGA-001 [2]. A study of the selective adsorption properties of porous co-ordination polymers was also reported, including single component isotherms and kinetic data measured with an IGA-001 [3]. Very recently an IGA-002 was used to measured adsorption-desorption isotherms with hydrocarbons from methane to butane in a soft porous crystal with very interesting results [4].

Analysis of the gas separation properties of novel porous materials is of course an area of particular interest and we understand that further articles reporting breakthrough curves measured with ABR analyzers are being prepared currently.

Several different Hiden Isochema sorption analyzers have been used to study vapor and gas solubility and diffusivity in polymers. An IGAsorp-CT was used to study the water sorption and transport properties of an amorphous polymer [5], and in a separate study, data measured by an IGAsorp-CT was used to validate an advanced model for sorption kinetics and additionally to evaluate the water diffusion in polymer samples [6]. In both cases the long term stability of the IGAsorp-CT when operating over a wide temperature and humidity range was vital to the study. Meanwhile, XEMIS analyzers have been used to study the solubility of gas species including oxygen, nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide in porous polymers at high pressure [7] [8].

High pressure gas sorption isotherms in novel activated carbons have recently been measured using a XEMIS. The hydrogen storage capacity of several carbons, synthesised from different materials were reported recently [9], with one carbon, produced from waste cigarette butts [10] generating significant interest.

The interaction of water with natural materials remains a very active application area, with many publications this year. One article especially of note discusses vapor sorption isotherm and kinetic data recorded using an IGAsorp in detail, and makes recommendations for the equilibration time when studying water sorption in wood [11].

Customers in the pharmaceutical sector continue to benefit from IGAsorp analyzers to perform high accuracy dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysis with water and organic solvents, with many patents and articles published this year.

Other popular application areas include vapor and gas sorption for thermochemical energy storage applications, evaluation of the hydrogen storage properties of metal hydrides, and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) together with carbon capture and utilization (CCU) studies using various sorbents and catalysts. We were also delighted to see a comprehensive review on the determination of gas solubility in ionic liquids [12], which included a detailed discussion of the benefits of the gravimetric technique.

We are always interested to read about new research articles so please do contact us to let us know about your own publications!

References

[1] Y. Yan et al, Porous Metal−Organic Polyhedral Frameworks with Optimal Molecular Dynamics and Pore Geometry for Methane Storage, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2017, 139, 13349.

[2] E. J. Carrington et al, Solvent-switchable continuous-breathing behaviour in a diamondoid metal–organic framework and its influence on CO₂ versus CH₄ selectivity, Nature Chemistry, 2017, 9, 882.

[3] M. Gimenez-Marques et al, Gas confinement in compartmentalized coordination polymers for highly selective sorption, Chemical Science, 2017, 8, 3109.

[4] P. Lama and L. J. Barbour, Distinctive Three-Step Hysteretic Sorption of Ethane with In–situ Crystallographic Visualization of the Pore Forms in a Soft Porous Crystal, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2017, doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b10352.

[5] F. Dubelley et al, Water Vapour Sorption Properties of Polyethylene Terephtalate over a Wide Range of Humidity and Temperature, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2017, 121, 1953.

[6] H. Sharma et al, Dynamic Triple-Mode Sorption and Outgassing in Materials, Scientific Reports, 2017, 7, 2942.

[7] W. F. Yong and T.-S. Chung, Mechanically Strong and Flexible Hydrolyzed Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) Membranes, Journal of Polymer Science B, 2017, 55, 344.

[8] W. F. Yong, Y. X. Ho and T. S. Chung, Nanoparticles Embedded in Amphiphilic Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Separation and Dehumidification, ChemSusChem, 2017, 10, 4046.

[9] T. S. Blankenship, N. Balahmar and R. Mokaya Oxygen-rich microporous carbons with exceptional hydrogen storage capacity, Nature Communications, 2017, 8, 1545.

[10] T. S. Blankenship and R. Mokaya, Cigarette butt-derived carbons have ultra-high surface area and unprecedented hydrogen storage capacity, Energy & Environmental Science, 2017, 10, 2552.

[11] S. V. Glass, C. R. Boardman and S. L. Zelinka, Short hold times in dynamic vapor sorption measurements mischaracterize the equilibrium moisture content of wood, Wood Science and Technology, 2017, 51, 243.

[12] M. B. Shiflett and E. J. Maginn, The Solubility of Gases in Ionic Liquids, AIChE Journal, 2017, 63, 4722.