SO2 capture enhancement due to confined methanol within MIL-53(Al)-TDC.

The SO2 capture performance of MIL-53(Al)-TDC was optimised by confining a small amount of MeOH within its pores (MeOH@MIL-53(Al)-TDC). In comparison with fully activated MIL-53(Al)-TDC, MeOH@MIL-53(Al)-TDC shows a 39% higher SO2 capture capacity. Monte Carlo simulations revealed that such an enhancement is associated with an increase in the degree of confinement via the SO2 molecules resulting from the formation of a lump (MeOH molecules) in the vicinity of the μ-OH groups.