Size-inverse molecular sieving xenon/krypton separation through cation-tuned gating effect within Linde Type A zeolites

Daisong Chen, Tianyi Zhang, Xin Yin, Kai Jia, Yuying Wang, Boyu Zhang, Zhendong Liu, Liangchun Li, Qinfen Gu (), Banglin Chen () and Jin Shang ()
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Daisong Chen: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute
Tianyi Zhang: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute
Xin Yin: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute
Kai Jia: Tsinghua University
Yuying Wang: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute
Boyu Zhang: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute
Zhendong Liu: Tsinghua University
Liangchun Li: Tongji University
Qinfen Gu: ANSTO
Banglin Chen: Zhejiang Normal University
Jin Shang: City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Achieving highly selective xenon/krypton separation is a longstanding challenge due to the similar physicochemical properties of these noble gases. Here, we develop the cation-tuned gating sieving mechanism in Linde Type A zeolites to achieve a high xenon/krypton IAST selectivity over 1600. Through the cation exchange by Ag+ to introduce the preferential binding of xenon over krypton gas, followed by Ca²⁺ exchange to modulate cation density within the pore cavity so as to facilitate xenon uptake, the resulting Ag9Ca1.5A overcomes the kinetic limitations and achieves a dynamic xenon/krypton selectivity of 30 — the highest reported in the open literature — along with a high dynamic xenon uptake of 1.65 mmol/g. In this work, the sieving separation mechanism is exclusively established by the combined isothermal adsorption measurements, breakthrough experiments, synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectra, and ab initio density functional theory calculations.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64823-y

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