Magnetic MOFs with flexibility for efficient magnetic-induced swing adsorption

Magnetic-induced swing adsorption is effective because of its easy operation, fast heat generation, and short distance of heat transfer. The energy efficiency of this adsorption method depends on the performance of magnetic adsorbents in alternative magnetic fields. In this work, we fabricated flexible MOF-based magnetic adsorbents and applied them in the magnetic-induced swing adsorption. When magnetic field is turned off, the adsorbents show open pores for C3H8 uptake at room temperature. When magnetic field is turned on, C3H8 is released because magnetic-induced heating drives the adsorbents loss their activity through conformational change of pores derived from aromatic rings tilting and rotation. The flexibility of the adsorbents decreases energy consumption to achieve desorption, which promote the energy efficiency of magnetic-induced swing adsorption. The optimal working capacity can reach 16.8 cm3 g−1, which is superior to various typical adsorbents such as F30/470 (9.32 cm3 g−1), MIL-91(Al) (3.36 cm3 g−1), and SSZ-13 zeolite (4.48 cm3 g−1). This work may open up a new avenue to address the issues caused by high energy consumption and slow heat transfer during desorption.