A composite sorbent composition comprising a polymeric adsorbent; and an extractant having the formula (I), or hydrate in thereof, wherein X is O or S, A1 and A2 are each independently —C(O)— or —C(R′)(R″)— wherein R′, and R″ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, —CHO, —COOH, C1-12 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 alkylamino, C1-2 haloalkyl, C1-2 haloalkoxy, C1-12 cycloalkyl, C6-12 aryl, C7-13 arylalkyl, C3-12 heteroaryl, C1-12 heteroalkyl, or C4-12 heteroarylalkyl, Z is a covalent bond, —S—, —O—, —SO2—, —SO—, —P(R)(═O)—, —NR—, -C(O)-, -C(O)NH-, —C(═N—R)—, or —C(R′)(R″)— wherein R, R′, and R″ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, —CHO, —COOH, —C(O)NH2, C1-12 alkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C1-12 alkylamino, C1-4 haloalkyl, C1-4 haloalkoxy, C4-12 cycloalkyl, C6-12 aryl, C7-13 arylalkyl, C3-12 heterocycloalkyl, C3-12 heteroaryl, C1-12 heteroalkyl, or C4-12 heteroarylalkyl, and R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, or a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent C1-40 hydrocarbon.

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Thiol-functionalized, hyper-crosslinked vinylbenylchloride-divinybenzene (VBC-DVB) copolymers having high mesopore volumes are provided. Also provided are methods of making the hyper-crosslinked copolymers and methods of using the hyper-crosslinked copolymers in the capture and remediation of metals, including heavy metals.

Novel crystalline porous materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and methods for their synthesis are provided herein. The MOFs include a M.sub.6(μ.sub.3-OH).sub.8(OH).sub.8(μ.sup.2,η.sup.2-(O.sub.2C).sub.2cyclam).sub.8 cluster, and a metal atom coordinated to the one or more cyclam of the cluster, wherein M is Zr or Hf, and the metal atom is any one of Cu, Ni, Cr, Ru, Co, and Gd. The MOFs can be used as an adsorbent, alone or in a medium with other components, of CO.sub.2. The MOFs can also be used as a catalyst for the transformation of CO.sub.2 and epoxides to cyclic carbonates. The MOFs can also be used in the electrochemical catalytic reduction of CO.sub.2. The MOFs can also be used for photocatalytic CO.sub.2 reduction for the production of carbon-based fossil fuels. The MOFs can also be used for light-induced nitric oxide (NO) release. The MOFs can also be used as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents.

Solid absorbent compositions and methods for the removal of mercaptan sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon streams are provided. The compositions may include porous granulated activated carbon particles with internal pore surfaces containing bound trinuclear basic iron (III) acetate complex containing the [Fe.sub.3(.sup.3-O)] core structure.

A first process and sorbent for removing ammonia from a gaseous environment, the sorbent comprised of graphene oxide having supported thereon at least one compound selected from metal salts, metal oxides and acids, each of which is capable of adsorbing ammonia. A second process and sorbent system for removing ammonia and a volatile organic compound from a gaseous environment; the sorbent system comprised of two graphene-based materials: (a) the aforementioned graphene oxide, and (b) a nitrogen and oxygen-functionalized graphene. The sorbents are regenerable under a pressure gradient with little or no application of heat. The processes are operable through multiple adsorption-desorption cycles and are applicable to purifying and revitalizing air contaminated with ammonia and organic compounds as may be found in spacesuits, aerospace cabins, underwater vehicles, and other confined-entry environments.

An adsorptive material for adsorption of a noble gas can include a mesoporous support material having a plurality of pores and a pattern of metal atoms deposited onto the mesoporous support material.

A method for producing a fluorinated carbon adsorbent which involves digesting rice husk, sulfonating the digested rice husk, and fluorinating the sulfonated rice husk. The method yields a fluorinated carbon adsorbent material having an adsorption capacity for CO.sub.2 of 1.6 to 2.5 mmol/g, an adsorption capacity for CH.sub.4 of 0.4 to 0.8 mmol/g, and an adsorption capacity for N.sub.2 of 0.1 to 0.4 mmol/g, at a temperature of 273 to 298 K and a pressure of 0.75 to 1.5 atm. Also disclosed is a method for separating a mixture of gases using the fluorinated carbon adsorbent.

A zirconium metal-organic framework, which is a coordination product formed between zirconium ion clusters and a linker that links together adjacent zirconium ion clusters, wherein the linker is of formula (I)

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wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, and R.sup.2 to R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl. A method of capturing CO.sub.2 from a gas mixture with the zirconium metal-organic framework.

A porous material structure and device are described and shown to enhance the mass transfer and/or heat transfer at low pressure drops for removal of certain molecular species from a fluid by adsorption and/or catalytic reaction. The porous structure of active materials comprising packed fine particles of adsorbents or catalysts is encapsulated with a thin membrane to provide large interfacing area with the fluid per unit volume for rapid mass transfer between the porous structure and fluid. The thin membrane also blocks particulate from getting into the porous structure of the active material. For the process involving significant heat of adsorption and/or reaction, the another surface of the porous structure of the active material is encapsulated with a thin non-permeable sheet to interface with a thermal fluid for rapid heat transfer between the porous structure and the thermal fluid. The device can be used for removal of CO.sub.2, moisture, and hydrocarbon molecules from a gas stream with rapid in-situ regeneration. The device can be used for removal of water from water-containing liquid fluids, such as solvents and oils. The device can be used for removal of bacteria, virus, salts, and molecular contaminants from one water simultaneously.

Described are methods, devices, and systems useful for adsorbing organometallic vapor onto solid adsorbent material to remove the organometallic vapor from a gas mixture that contains the organometallic vapor and other vapor, particulate materials, or both.