Chemical and structural stability of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks with large three-dimensional pores by linker engineering

Micropatterned Ultrathin MOF Membranes with Enhanced Molecular Sieving Property

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attractive crystalline materials for membranes due to their diverse crystalline pore structures and molecular separation properties. However, the fabrication cost is relatively high compared to conventional polymeric membranes. The concern of the cost could be eased if they are part of a value-added device, for example, as the key separation unit in a lab-on-a-chip device. This study demonstrates the feasibility of miniaturization of MOF membranes by patterning the membrane surface, a necessary step for MOF membranes to be used in compact devices. Water-stable ultrathin UiO-66 membranes with a thickness down to 250 nm on a substrate with a complex pattern were grown. The patterned membranes showed a 100 % improvement in the apparent permeation flux over conventional flat-UiO-66 membranes without compromising the molecular separation property, indicating the complexity of a surface would not be a formidable obstacle to the MOF membrane fabrication.

Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous materials with potential applications in gas storage, separations, catalysis, and chemical sensing. Despite numerous advantages, applications of many MOFs are ultimately limited by their stability under harsh conditions. Herein, the recent advances in the field of stable MOFs, covering the fundamental mechanisms of MOF stability, design, and synthesis of stable MOF architectures, and their latest applications are reviewed. First, key factors that affect MOF stability under certain chemical environments are introduced to guide the design of robust structures. This is followed by a short review of synthetic strategies of stable MOFs including modulated synthesis and postsynthetic modifications. Based on the fundamentals of MOF stability, stable MOFs are classified into two categories: high-valency metal-carboxylate frameworks and low-valency metal-azolate frameworks. Along this line, some representative stable MOFs are introduced, their structures are described, and their properties are briefly discussed. The expanded applications of stable MOFs in Lewis/Brønsted acid catalysis, redox catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, gas storage, and sensing are highlighted. Overall, this review is expected to guide the design of stable MOFs by providing insights into existing structures, which could lead to the discovery and development of more advanced functional materials.

Excited-State Electronic Properties in Zr-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as a Function of a Topological Network

Molecular assemblies in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are reminiscent of natural light-harvesting (LH) systems and considered as emerging materials for energy conversion. Such applications require understanding the correlation between their excited-state properties and underlying topological net. Two chemically identical but topologically different tetraphenylpyrene (1,3,6,8-tetrakis( p-benzoicacid)pyrene; H₄TBAPy)-based Zr^IV MOFs, NU-901 ( scu) and NU-1000 ( csq), are chosen to computationally and spectroscopically interrogate the impact of topological difference on their excited-state electronic structures. Time-dependent density functional theory-computed transition density matrices for selected model compounds reveal that the optically relevant S₁, S₂, and S _n states are delocalized over more than four TBAPy linkers with a maximum exciton size of ∼1.7 nm (i.e., two neighboring TBAPy linkers). Computational data further suggests the evolution of polar excitons (hole and electron residing in two different linkers); their oscillator strengths vary with the extent of interchromophoric interaction depending on their topological network. Femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopic data of NU-901 highlight instantaneous spectral evolution of an intense S₁ → S _n transition at 750 nm, which diminishes with the emergence of a broad (580-1100 nm) induced absorption originating from a fast excimer formation. Although these ultrafast spectroscopic data reveal the first direct spectral observation of fast excimer formation (τ = 2 ps) in MOFs, the fs-TA features seen in NU-901 are clearly absent in NU-1000 and the free H₄TBAPy linker. Furthermore, transient and steady-state fluorescence data collected as a function of solvent dielectrics reveal that the emissive states in both MOF samples are electronically nonpolar; however, low-lying polar excited states may get involved in the excited-state decay processes in polar solvents. The present work shows that the topological arrangement of the linkers critically controls the excited-state electronic structures.

Water-Stable Nanoscale Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for the Effective Removal of Glyphosate from Aqueous Media

Two water-stable zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (NU-1000 and UiO-67) have been synthesized in various size scales (100-2000 nm) for the adsorptive removal of glyphosate from the aqueous media. Both NU-1000 and UiO-67 possess a three-dimensional structure; NU-1000 consists of triangular micropores and wide mesoporous channels (31 Å), whereas UiO-67 has cage-like pores [octahedral (16 Å) and tetrahedral (14 Å) cages]. NU-1000 comprises Zr6(μ3-O)4(μ3-OH)4(H2O)4(OH)4, and UiO-67 contains Zr6O4(OH)4 as secondary building units. These units act as Lewis acid nodes and can interact with the Lewis base phosphate group of the glyphosate. The time taken for reaching equilibrium is found to be reduced considerably as the size of the MOF decreases. The smaller the particle size, the lesser is the diffusion barrier for the analyte, which enhances the interaction between Lewis acidic metal nodes and the Lewis basic center of the glyphosate molecule. NU-1000 was found to be better compared to UiO-67, both in terms of efficiency and reusability. This might be due to the larger pore diameters of the NU-1000. Theoretical calculations revealed that the interaction energy of glyphosate with the nodes of NU-1000 is higher (-37.63 KJ mol-1) compared to UiO-67 (-17.37 KJ mol-1), which might be the possible reason for the higher efficiency of NU-1000.

SERS-active metal-organic frameworks with embedded gold nanoparticles

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been widely used in the detection of targets and strongly depends on the interaction and the distance between the targets and nanoparticles. Herein, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were first easily synthesized on a large scale via a water bath method, especially Uio-66 and Uio-67. MOFs embedded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for SERS enhancement were successfully fabricated via an impregnation strategy. The synthesized AuNPs/MOF-199, AuNPs/Uio-66, and AuNPs/Uio-67 composites, with LSPR properties and high adsorption capability of MOFs to preconcentrate the analytes close to the surface of the AuNPs, exhibited excellent SERS activity. The effects of the reducing concentrations of sodium citrate on the SERS activity, and the stability and reproducibility of the AuNP/MOFs have been discussed via the detection of acetamiprid. The SERS intensity enhanced by the composites was retained for more than 40 days under ambient conditions with the reducing concentrations of sodium citrate at 0.16%, 0.20%, and 0.16%. The limits of detection with the signal/noise ratio higher than 3 at the characteristic peak 632 cm^-1 were 0.02 μM, 0.009 μM, and 0.02 μM for acetamiprid. Most interestingly, the AuNP/MOF-199 composites, whose morphology was long tube sheet, exhibited excellent SERS activity. These novel composites with high sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility provide a new route for the detection of pesticides via the SERS technology.

Magnetic Zr-MOFs nanocomposites for rapid removal of heavy metal ions and dyes from water

Amino-decorated Zr-based magnetic Metal-Organic Frameworks composites (Zr-MFCs) were prepared by a facile and efficient strategy. The nano-sized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core (about 15 nm) was coated with a shell of Zr-MOFs (about 5 nm) by means of in-situ growth. And, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@UiO-66 and its amino derivatives (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@UiO-66-NH₂ and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@UiO-66-Urea) were successfully prepared by using different precursors. The obtained Zr-MFCs were demonstrated to be efficient adsorbents for metal ions/organic dyes removal from aqueous solution, with high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption kinetics. It was found that the amine-decorated MFCs were highly efficient for metal ions/dyes removal compared to raw MFC-O. Among them, MFC-N exhibited the highest capacity for Pb²⁺ (102 mg g^-1) and methylene blue (128 mg g^-1), while MFC-O exhibited the highest capacity for methyl orange (219 mg g^-1). Moreover, anionic and cationic dyes could be selectively separated and removed from the mixed solution just by adjusting the solution pH with Zr-MFCs as the adsorbents. And these Zr-MFCs materials can be easily regenerated by desorbing metal ions/organic dyes from the sorbents with appropriate eluents, and the adsorption capacity can be remained unchanged after 6 recycles. The obtained results demonstrated the great application potential of the prepared MFCs as fascinating adsorbents for water treatment.

Topologically guided tuning of Zr-MOF pore structures for highly selective separation of C6 alkane isomers

As an alternative technology to energy intensive distillations, adsorptive separation by porous solids offers lower energy cost and higher efficiency. Herein we report a topology-directed design and synthesis of a series of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks with optimized pore structure for efficient separation of C6 alkane isomers, a critical step in the petroleum refining process to produce gasoline with high octane rating. Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(bptc)₃ adsorbs a large amount of n-hexane but excluding branched isomers. The n-hexane uptake is ~70% higher than that of a benchmark adsorbent, zeolite-5A. A derivative structure, Zr₆O₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₄(abtc)₂, is capable of discriminating all three C6 isomers and yielding a high separation factor for 3-methylpentane over 2,3-dimethylbutane. This property is critical for producing gasoline with further improved quality. Multicomponent breakthrough experiments provide a quantitative measure of the capability of these materials for separation of C6 alkane isomers. A detailed structural analysis reveals the unique topology, connectivity and relationship of these compounds.

The separation of C6 alkane isomers is crucial to the petroleum refining industry, but the distillation methods in place are energy intensive. Here, the authors design a series of topologically-guided zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks with optimized pore structures for efficient C6 alkane isomer separations.

Degradation of chemical warfare agents over cotton fabric functionalized with UiO-66-NH2

Herein, cotton fabric was treated with an alkaline solution to increase the content of surface hydroxyl groups and then functionalized with UiO-66-NH₂, a nanoporous metal–organic framework. Instrumental analysis of the thus treated fabric revealed that its surface was covered with UiO-66-NH₂ crystals in a uniform manner. The ability of the functionalized fabric to degrade two chemical warfare agents (soman and sulfur mustard) was probed by testing its permeability to these two agents (swatch testing), and the excellent degradation performance was concluded to be well suited for a broad range of filtration and decontamination applications.

We develop a very efficient modification method of cotton fabric to be functionalized with a MOF via mercerization.

Two interpenetrated metal–organic frameworks with a slim ethynyl-based ligand: designed for selective gas adsorption and structural tuning

Structural tuning and selective gas adsorption of two interpenetrated metal–organic frameworks using a slim ethynyl-based ligand were achieved.

Synthesis and functionalization of phase-pure NU-901 for enhanced CO2adsorption: the influence of a zirconium salt and modulator on the topology and phase purity

Phase-pure NU-901 was functionalized with amines through solvent-assisted linker incorporation resulting in more than double the typical CO₂adsorption capacity.

Palladium stabilized on poly and mono sulfonamide ligands as novel, simple, effective, and recyclable nano catalysts for C–C cross-coupling reactions

Poly and mono sulfonamide ligands were successfully used for the stabilization of palladium nanoparticles. The prepared nano catalysts that appeared to be heterogeneous and novel were characterized with various analytical tools. To establish the catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts, they were used in the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions of aryl halides under low palladium loading conditions. The catalysts showed good stability and could be recovered and reused for seven reaction cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity.

The modulator driven polymorphism of Zr(IV) based metal-organic frameworks

The reaction of ZrCl₄ and 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (H₂tdc) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (Htfa) as modulator results in the formation of the new metal-organic framework (MOF) named DUT-126 (DUT = Dresden University of Technology). The nature and concentration of modulators are found to be decisive synthetic parameters affecting the topology of the formed product. DUT-126 ( HBR: ) extends the series of polymorphs differing in topology, namely DUT-67 ( REO: ), DUT-68 ( BON: ) and DUT-69 ( BCT: ) to four, where DUT-67 and DUT-68 show the same eight-connected secondary building units as in DUT-126. In DUT-126, linker molecules have a peculiar orientation, resulting in HBR: topology, which is described for the first time in this work for MOFs. DUT-126 contains three pore types, including two micropores surrounding mesoporous channels. DUT-126 is stable against hydrolysis and features permanent porosity with a specific surface area of 1297 m² g^-1 and a total pore volume of 0.48 cm³ g^-1, calculated from the nitrogen physisorption isotherm measured at 77 K.This article is part of the themed issue 'Coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks: materials by design'.

Pitfalls in metal–organic framework crystallography: towards more accurate crystal structures

Proper handling of pore-occupying species and crystal twinning in structure determination of porous metal–organic frameworks by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Metal-organic framework with optimally selective xenon adsorption and separation

Nuclear energy is among the most viable alternatives to our current fossil fuel-based energy economy. The mass deployment of nuclear energy as a low-emissions source requires the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel to recover fissile materials and mitigate radioactive waste. A major concern with reprocessing used nuclear fuel is the release of volatile radionuclides such as xenon and krypton that evolve into reprocessing facility off-gas in parts per million concentrations. The existing technology to remove these radioactive noble gases is a costly cryogenic distillation; alternatively, porous materials such as metal–organic frameworks have demonstrated the ability to selectively adsorb xenon and krypton at ambient conditions. Here we carry out a high-throughput computational screening of large databases of metal–organic frameworks and identify SBMOF-1 as the most selective for xenon. We affirm this prediction and report that SBMOF-1 exhibits by far the highest reported xenon adsorption capacity and a remarkable Xe/Kr selectivity under conditions pertinent to nuclear fuel reprocessing.

Increased nuclear energy usage requires the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel to recover radioactive waste, including xenon. Here, the authors perform high-throughput computational screening to identify a metal-organic framework with high xenon selectivity, and demonstrate this with performance analysis.

Mechanochemical and solvent-free assembly of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks

We develop the first mechanochemical and solvent-free routes for zirconium metal-organic frameworks, making the frameworks UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2 accessible on the gram scale without strong acids, high temperatures or excess reactants. The frameworks form either by milling, or spontaneous self-assembly by simply exposing solid mixtures of reactants to organic vapour. The generated frameworks exhibit high porosity and catalytic activity in the hydrolysis of model nerve agents, on par with their solvothermally generated counterparts.

Connecting defects and amorphization in UiO-66 and MIL-140 metal–organic frameworks: a combined experimental and computational study

Ball-milling amorphization of UiO-66, MIL-140B and MIL-140C was observed to proceed by metal–ligand bond breaking, and linked to the generation of successive defects.

Mixed-linker approach in designing porous zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks with high hydrogen storage capacity

New zirconium based metal–organic framework (UBMOF-31) synthesised using mixed-linker strategy showing permanent porosity, excellent hydrogen uptake, and high selectivity for adsorption of CO₂ over N₂.

Ameliorated synthetic methodology for crystalline lanthanoid–metalloporphyrin open frameworks based on a multitopic octacarboxy-porphyrin scaffold: structural, gas sorption and photophysical properties

A novel synthetic methodology has been applied to obtain sizeable single crystals of wide-pore porphyrin-based MOFs.

Applications of water stable metal–organic frameworks

A comprehensive review is given on the applications of water stable metal–organic frameworks in areas of adsorption, membrane separation, sensing, catalysis, and proton conduction.

Zr-based metal–organic frameworks: design, synthesis, structure, and applications

This review summarizes the advances in the study of Zr-based metal–organic frameworks in terms of their design, synthesis, structure, and potential applications.

Isoreticular zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks: discovering mechanical trends and elastic anomalies controlling chemical structure stability

Understanding the mechanical properties of MOFs is crucial not only to yield robust practical applications, but also to advance fundamental research underpinning flexibility of a myriad of open-framework compounds.

Synthesis and structure of Zr(iv)- and Ce(iv)-based CAU-24 with 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene

Eight-fold connection of hexanuclear clusters containing Zr(iv) or Ce(iv) through rigid, rectangular tetracarboxylate ions yields new MOFs with scu topology.

A single-ligand ultra-microporous MOF for precombustion CO2 capture and hydrogen purification

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) built from a single small ligand typically have high stability, are rigid, and have syntheses that are often simple and easily scalable. However, they are normally ultra-microporous and do not have large surface areas amenable to gas separation applications. We report an ultra-microporous (3.5 and 4.8 Å pores) Ni-(4-pyridylcarboxylate)2 with a cubic framework that exhibits exceptionally high CO2/H2 selectivities (285 for 20:80 and 230 for 40:60 mixtures at 10 bar, 40°C) and working capacities (3.95 mmol/g), making it suitable for hydrogen purification under typical precombustion CO2 capture conditions (1- to 10-bar pressure swing). It exhibits facile CO2 adsorption-desorption cycling and has CO2 self-diffusivities of ~3 × 10(-9) m(2)/s, which is two orders higher than that of zeolite 13X and comparable to other top-performing MOFs for this application. Simulations reveal a high density of binding sites that allow for favorable CO2-CO2 interactions and large cooperative binding energies. Ultra-micropores generated by a small ligand ensures hydrolytic, hydrostatic stabilities, shelf life, and stability toward humid gas streams.

Superior removal of arsenic from water with zirconium metal-organic framework UiO-66

In this study, water stable zirconium metal-organic framework (UiO-66) has been synthesized and for the first time applied as an adsorbent to remove aquatic arsenic contamination. The as-synthesized UiO-66 adsorbent functions excellently across a broad pH range of 1 to 10, and achieves a remarkable arsenate uptake capacity of 303 mg/g at the optimal pH, i.e., pH = 2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest arsenate As(V) adsorption capacity ever reported, much higher than that of currently available adsorbents (5-280 mg/g, generally less than 100 mg/g). The superior arsenic uptake performance of UiO-66 adsorbent could be attributed to the highly porous crystalline structure containing zirconium oxide clusters, which provides a large contact area and plenty of active sites in unit space. Two binding sites within the adsorbent framework are proposed for arsenic species, i.e., hydroxyl group and benzenedicarboxylate ligand. At equilibrium, seven equivalent arsenic species can be captured by one Zr6 cluster through the formation of Zr-O-As coordination bonds.

Water stabilization of Zr6-based metal-organic frameworks via solvent-assisted ligand incorporation

Water stability in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is critical for several practical applications. While water instability is mainly thought to stem from linker hydrolysis, MOFs with strong, hydrolysis-resistant metal-linker bonds can be susceptible to damage by capillary forces, which cause cavities and channels to collapse during activation from water. This study utilizes metal node functionalization as a strategy to create vapor-stable and recyclable MOFs.

Structurally Flexible C₃-Symmetric Receptors for Molecular Recognition and Their Self-Assembly Properties

The bioinspired design and synthesis of building blocks and their assemblies by the supramolecular approach has ever fascinated scientists to utilize such artificial systems for numerous purposes. Flexibility is a basic feature of natural systems. However, in artificial systems this is difficult to control, especially if there is no preorganization of the component(s) of a system. We have designed and synthesized a series of C3 -symmetric N-bridged flexible receptors and successfully utilized them to selectively entrap the notorious and toxic nitrate anion in aqueous medium. This was the first report of highest binding affinity for the nitrate anion in aqueous medium. An impressive self-sorting phenomenon of reversibly formed hydrogen-bonded capsules, which self-assembled from flexible tripodal receptors having branches of similar size and bearing the same amide functionality, has been disclosed. Encapsulated nitrate anion has been further utilized for the photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of strained four-membered ring structures through dynamic self-assembly. In this Personal Account, we summarize these results showing the utility of naturally inspired flexibility in artificial systems.

Versatile rare earth hexanuclear clusters for the design and synthesis of highly-connected -MOFs

A series of highly porous MOFs were deliberately targeted to contain a 12-connected rare earth hexanuclear cluster and quadrangular tetracarboxylate ligands. The resultant MOFs have an underlying topology of ftw, and are thus (4,12)-c ftw-MOFs. This targeted rare earth ftw-MOF platform offers the potential to assess the effect of pore functionality and size, via ligand functionalization and/or expansion, on the adsorption properties of relevant gases. Examination of the gas adsorption properties of these compounds showed that the ftw-MOF-2 analogues, constructed from rigid ligands with a phenyl, naphthyl, or anthracene core exhibited a relatively high degree of porosity. The specific surface areas and pore volumes of these analogs are amongst the highest reported for RE-based MOFs. Further studies revealed that the Y-ftw-MOF-2 shows promise as a storage medium for methane (CH4) at high pressures. Furthermore, Y-ftw-MOF-2 shows potential as a separation agent for the selective removal of normal butane (n-C4H10) and propane (C3H8) from natural gas (NG) as well as interesting properties for the selective separation of n-C4H10 from C3H8 or isobutane (iso-C4H10).

Stable porphyrin Zr and Hf metal-organic frameworks featuring 2.5 nm cages: high surface areas, SCSC transformations and catalyses

Two isostructural porphyrin Zr and Hf metal-organic frameworks (FJI-H6 and FJI-H7) are rationally synthesized, and are constructed from 2.5 nm cubic cages. Notably, they both possess high water and chemical stability and can undergo single-crystal to single-crystal transformations to embed Cu2+ ions into the open porphyrin rings. FJI-H6 has a high BET surface area of 5033 m2 g-1. Additionally, they exhibit promising catalytic abilities to convert CO2 and epoxides into cyclic carbonates at ambient conditions.