Page 15 - Adsorbents fundamentals and applications

xii PREFACE

The sorbent that forms a π-complexation bond with molecules of a targeted
component in a mixture is named π-complexation sorbent. The π-complexation
bond is a type of weak and reversible chemical bond, the same type that binds
oxygen to hemoglobin in our blood. This type of sorbent has been developed in
the past decade, largely in the author’s laboratory. Because they have shown a
tremendous potential for a number of important applications in separation and
purification, they are discussed separately in Chapter 8. This chapter also presents
their applications for olefin/paraffin separations, olefin purification (by removal
of dienes to <1 ppm, separation of CO, as well as aromatics from aliphatics.
The particularly promising application of π-complexation sorbents for sulfur
removal from transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels) is discussed in
Chapter 10.
Chapter 9 covers carbon nanotubes, pillared clays, and polymeric resins. Poly-
meric resins are in widespread use for ion exchange, water treatment, and ana-
lytical chromatography.
In Chapter 10, sorbents for specific applications in separation and purification
are discussed in detail. These include both well-established applications, such as
air separation, and potential applications, such as gasoline desulfurization and
energy storage (of hydrogen or methane).
In my research on new sorbents and in organizing my thoughts for this book,
I have benefited greatly from discussions with a number of researchers in the
field, particularly my former students who are now key researchers in industry,
as well as my colleagues at SUNY at Buffalo and the University of Michigan.
Thanks are also due to my past and present students and associates, with
whom I have had so much pleasure in learning. Finally, I would like to thank
Ruby Sowards for her skillful help in the art work and the staff at Wiley for their
highly professional editing and publication.

RALPH T. YANG
Ann Arbor, Michigan