Breakthrough in Hydrogen Isotope Separation at Higher Temperatures

In a significant advancement for materials science, a novel copper-based zeolite imidazolate framework (Cu-ZIF-gis) has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in separating deuterium (D2) from hydrogen (H2) at 120 K (-153°C). This temperature, exceeding the liquefaction point of natural gas, opens doors for large-scale industrial applications, potentially leveraging existing LNG infrastructure for economical D2 production. Announced on March 19, 2025, by a collaborative team including UNIST, Soongsil University, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, and MLZ at TUM, the research addresses the growing demand for deuterium, crucial for semiconductors, display devices, and fusion fuel. Traditional cryogenic distillation methods at 20 K (-253°C) are energy-intensive. The Cu-ZIF-gis framework maintains its effectiveness at higher temperatures due to its lattice expansion, facilitating gas passage and separation via quantum sieving. In-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) experiments confirmed the lattice expansion and isotope diffusivity differences. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) indicated stable D2 separation. Researchers emphasize the material's lower energy consumption and enhanced separation efficiency compared to traditional methods, paving the way for sustainable isotope separation technologies.