Adsorption and structure of hydrocarbons in MCM-41: a computational study.

The adsorption of linear, branched, and cyclic hydrocarbons in MCM-41 is studied using Configurational Bias Monte Carlo simulations. A new computational model for MCM-41 is proposed which, although simple, is able to predict adsorption isotherms which are in agreement with the scarce experimental data. The structure of the adsorbed phase is analyzed and found to be similar to that of studies using small, hard spheres trapped in pores. The adsorption of mixtures is investigated, and the adsorption hierarchy is discussed. The structure of the adsorbed mixture is revealed and shows that all components of the mixture exhibit structure, even if they are only adsorbed in small quantities. Finally, the model is modified to include surface roughness and the effect on the adsorption isotherms and structure of the adsorbed phase is discussed.