Exploring propane/propylene separation mechanism in ZIF-8 (Zn) by 2H NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

The molecular mobility of propane and propylene has been studied by 2H NMR method. The activation barriers of diffusion determined from the spin relaxation analysis are in a good agreement with the values obtained by Liu et al. (EC3H8 = 38 kJ/mol, EC3H6 = 13.5 kJ/mol). High activation energy of the rotation inside the cavity for propylene compared to propane (8 kJ/mol vs 3.8 kJ/mol) implies stronger interaction of this adsorbate with the walls of the cavity.