Metal-organic frameworks for hydrogen isotopes separation

Abstract

In the face of escalating global energy demands, deuterium (D₂) is receiving increasing attention as a clean and efficient energy source. However, the challenge of separating deuterium from hydrogen (H₂) arises due to their considerable physical and chemical similarities. The use of porous materials to separate D₂/H₂, which has either high separation efficiency or ideal D₂ capacity and even approaches a good balance of efficiency and capacity in the case of some advanced porous materials, is one of the most promising alternative technologies for hydrogen isotope separation. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, with their diverse structures, highly adjustable pore channels, and surface functionality, offer tremendous potential in the field of D₂/H₂ separation. In this review, we systematically summarize the research progress of MOFs in D₂/H₂ separation and discuss their advantages, challenges, and future directions from the perspectives of separation mechanisms and separation technology.