A metal-organic framework of the present disclosure includes tetravalent Group IV element ions or rare earth ions as metal ions, first ions of organic molecules having a trimesic acid framework as tridentate ligands, and second ions of organic molecules having a heterocycle and two carboxy groups as bidentate ligands.

Disclosed is an activated carbon including pores formed on a surface thereof, in particular, the pores include ultra-micropores having a diameter that is equal to or less than about 1.0 nm.

One or more embodiments relate to providing substrate for separating a first gas component from a gaseous mixture, said substrate comprising a benzimidazole-linked polymer. Also provided is a method for synthesizing a substrate for separating a first gas component from a gaseous mixture, the method comprising performing a free condensation reaction between an aryl-o-diamine and an aryl-aldehyde to yield a benzimidazole-linked polymer. Other embodiments related to providing a CO.sub.2 separation membrane comprising benzimidazole-linked polymer residing within a matrix.

A method of preparing an adsorbent for removing siloxane, in which the method includes mixing a silica particle and an OH compound to bond OH functional groups to the silica particle; measuring percentage by weight of OH bonded to the silica particle; calculating a bonding number and spacing of the OH functional groups by the percentage by weight of OH bonded to the silica particle; performing an evaluation of an adsorption rate and desorption rate of the silica particle to which the OH functional groups, of which the bonding number and spacing are calculated, are bonded; and adjusting the bonding number of the OH functional groups in the silica particle according to the evaluation.

A mineral polymer for reducing pollutants, in particular for gas absorbing, absorbing pollutant volatile organic compounds such as volatile organic hydrocarbons and/or capturing particulate pollutants. The mineral polymer may be a metakaolin-based mineral polymer with a porous or non-porous structure. The use of the mineral polymer for reducing pollutants includes for absorbing one or more pollutant gases, such as NOx (such as NO.sub.2), SOx (such as SO.sub.2) and/or CO.sub.2, for absorbing pollutant volatile organic compounds such as volatile organic hydrocarbons and/or for capturing particulate pollutants, such as those produced by diesel engines. The pollutants are removed directly from the engine exhaust, from a ventilation system, or at the road side. A method for reducing pollutants comprises the steps: (i) providing the mineral polymer; (ii) exposing said mineral polymer to one or more pollutants; and optionally, (iii) regenerating the capability of the mineral polymer to reduce pollutants. Regeneration may be carried out by washing with a solvent, or heating. The solvent may be water or another suitable solvent.

The present disclosure relates to the use of mesoporous solids to control relative humidity in enclosed spaces while greatly reducing energy expenditure. The mesoporous solids are particularly suitable for controlling relative humidity in greenhouses.

A nucleophilic substitution reaction to crosslink cyclodextrin (CD) polymer with rigid aromatic groups, providing a high surface area, mesoporous CD-containing polymers (P-CDPs). The P-CDPs can be used for removing organic contaminants from water. By encapsulating pollutants to form well-defined host-guest complexes with complementary selectivities to activated carbon (AC) sorbents. The P-CDPs can rapidly sequester pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other organic micropollutants, achieving equilibrium binding capacity in seconds with adsorption rate constants 15-200 times greater than ACs and nonporous CD sorbents. The CD polymer can be regenerated several times, through a room temperature washing procedure, with no loss in performance.

A methyl iodide adsorber, comprising a zeolite containing at least one iodide-adsorbing metal or a compound thereof, wherein the zeolite is a hydrophobic zeolite. Also, a use of the adsorber and a method for the adsorption of methyl iodide.

A porous carbon that can sufficiently adsorb water vapor on a high humidity side is provided. A porous carbon is characterized by having mesopores and micropores and having a water vapor adsorbed amount ratio, as defined by the following expression (1), of 1.8 or higher. It is particularly preferable that the water vapor adsorbed amount ratio as defined by the following expression (1) be 2.0 or higher. It is also preferable that the water vapor adsorbed amount at a relative humidity of 70% be 50 mg/g or greater.
Water vapor adsorbed amount ratio=water vapor adsorbed amount at a relative humidity of 90%/water vapor adsorbed amount at a relative humidity of 70%.(1)

A method for preparing a metal-organic framework (MOF) comprising contacting one or more of a rare earth metal ion component with one or more of a tetratopic ligand component, sufficient to form a rare earth-based MOF for controlling moisture in an environment. A method of moisture control in an environment comprising adsorbing and/or desorbing water vapor in an environment using a MOF, the MOF including one or more of a rare earth metal ion component and one or more of a tetratopic ligand component. A method of controlling moisture in an environment comprising sensing the relative humidity in the environment comprising a MOF; and adsorbing water vapor on the MOF if the relative humidity is above a first level, sufficient to control moisture in an environment. The examples relate to a MOF created from 1,2,4,5-Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (BTEB) as tetratopic ligand, 2-fluorobenzoic acid and Y(NO3)3, Tb(NO3)3 and Yb(NO3)3 as rare earth metals.