Patent attributes
Compositions containing a porous organic polymer and a monovalent metal cation are provided for separation/purification of olefins and paraffins. The compositions can be stable and recyclable. The compositions can contain acidic functional group having monovalent metal cations associated therein. The monovalent metal cations can include Ag(I) and Cu(I), capable of strong cation-pi binding to ethylene and other olefins. The compositions can have a large surface area greater than about 20 m2/g. The compositions can be used to separate/purify mixtures of ethylene and ethane. The compositions can have an ethylene/ethane adsorption selectivity of about 20 to 500 at 296 K. Methods of making the compositions are provided. Methods can include synthesizing the porous organic polymer, grafting acidic functional groups onto the polymer, and cation exchange with a salt or acid of a monovalent metal cation. Methods of olefin/paraffin separation are provided capable of achieving purities over 99%.
