Scale-up of the Synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework ZIF-4

Abstract

A new synthesis route for the zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-4 is reported. About 200 g of ZIF-4 are prepared by sonothermal synthesis from ZnO at room temperature. The ZIF-4 prepared by sonothermal synthesis is comparable to the ZIF-4 synthesized by the pathway reported in literature with respect to the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, particle size, and separation potential for olefin-paraffin gas mixtures. Moreover, the separation potential of ZIF-4 is compared to commercial adsorbents like carbon molecular sieves and zeolites.