Preferential SO_x Adsorption in Mg-MOF-74 from a Humid Acid Gas Stream

The preferential adsorption of SOx versus water in Mg-MOF-74 from a humid SOx gas stream has been investigated via materials studies and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Mg-MOF-74 has been synthesized and subsequently loaded simultaneously with water vapor and SOx (62–96 ppm) in an adsorption chamber at room temperature over a time period of 4 days with a sample taken every 24 h. Each sample was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)–mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The metal–organic framework (MOF) showed retained crystallinity and peak intensity in PXRD, and after 2 days, it showed no obvious degradation to the structure. Use of multiple techniques, including TGA, identified 10% by weight of SOx species, specifically H2S and SO2, within the MOF. 1H solid-state NMR shows a substantial reduction of H2O when SOx is present, which is consistent with SOx preferentially binding to the oxophilic metal site of the framework. After 14 weeks aging, the sulfur remains present in the three-dimensional MOF, with only half being desorbed after 23 weeks in air.