High adsorption and separation performance of CO_(2) over N2 in azo-based(N=N)pillar[6]arene supramolecular organic frameworks

Azo-based pillar[6]arene supramolecular organic frameworks are reported for CO_(2) and N_(2) adsorption and separation by density functional theory and grand canonical Monte–Carlo simulation.Azo-based pillar[6]arene provides suitable environment for CO_(2) adsorption and selectivity.The adsorption and selectivity results show that introducing azo groups can effectively improve CO_(2) adsorption and selectivity over N_(2),and both CO_(2) adsorption and CO_(2) selectivity over N_(2) follow the sequence pillar[6]arene N_(4)>pillar[6]arene N2>pillar[6]arene.Pillar[6]arene N_(4) exhibits CO_(2) adsorption capacity of1.36 mmol/g,and superior selectivity of CO_(2) over N_(2) of116.75 with equal molar fraction at 1 bar(1 bar=105 Pa)and 298 K.Interaction analysis confirms that both the Coulomb and van derWaals interactions between CO_(2) with pillar[6]arene frameworks are greater than that of N_(2).The stronger affinity of CO_(2) with pillar[6]arene N_(4) than other structures and the larger isosteric heat differences between CO_(2) and N2 rendered pillar[6]arene N4 to present the high CO_(2) adsorption capacity and high CO_(2) selectivity over N_(2).Our results highlight the potential of azo-functionalization as an excellent means to improve pillar[6]arene for CO_(2) capture and separation.