KFeSbTe3: a quaternary chalcogenide aerogel for preferential adsorption of polarizable hydrocarbons and gases

Abstract

The first telluride-based quaternary aerogel KFeSbTe₃ is synthesized by a sol–gel metathesis reaction between Fe(OAc)₂ and K₃SbTe₃ in dimethyl formamide. The aerogel has an exceptionally large surface area 652 m² g⁻¹ which is amongst the highest reported for chalcogenide-based aerogels. This predominantly mesoporous material shows preferential adsorption for toluene vapors over cyclohexane or cyclopentane and CO₂ over CH₄ or H₂. The remarkably high adsorption capacity for toluene (9.31 mmol g⁻¹) and high selectivity for gases (CO₂/H₂: 121 and CO₂/CH₄: 75) suggest a potential use of such materials in adsorption-based separation processes for the effective purification of hydrocarbons and gases.