Polymer-Derived Silicoboron Carbonitride Foams for CO2 Capture: From Design to Application as Scaffolds for the in Situ Growth of Metal-Organic Frameworks

A template-assisted polymer-derived ceramic route is investigated for preparing a series of silicoboron carbonitride (Si/B/C/N) foams with a hierarchical pore size distribution and tailorable interconnected porosity. A boron-modified polycarbosilazane was selected to impregnate monolithic silica and carbonaceous templates and form after pyrolysis and template removal Si/B/C/N foams. By changing the hard template nature and controlling the quantity of polymer to be impregnated, controlled micropore/macropore distributions with mesoscopic cell windows are generated. Specific surface areas from 29 to 239 m(2)  g(-1) and porosities from 51 to 77 % are achieved. These foams combine a low density with a thermal insulation and a relatively good thermostructural stability. Their particular structure allowed the in situ growth of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) directly within the open-cell structure. MOFs offered a microporosity feature to the resulting Si/B/C/N@MOF composite foams that allowed increasing the specific surface area to provide CO2 uptake of 2.2 %.

Outset of the Morphology of Nanostructured Silica Particles during Nucleation Followed by Ultrasmall-Angle X-ray Scattering

Nucleation and growth of SBA-15 silica nanostructured particles with well-defined morphologies has been followed with time by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and ultrasmall-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS), using synchrotron radiation. Three different morphologies have been compared: platelets, toroids, and rods. SEM observations of the particles confirm that two key physical parameters control the morphology: the temperature and the stirring of the solution. USAXS curves demonstrate that primary particles with a defined shape are present very early in the reaction mixture, immediately after a very fast nucleation step. This nucleation step is detected at 10 min (56 °C) or 15 min (50 °C) after the addition of the silica precursor. The main finding is that the USAXS signal is different for each type of morphology, and we demonstrate that the difference is related to the shape of the particles, showing characteristic form factors for the different morphologies (platelet, toroid, and rod). Moreover, the size of the mesocrystal domains is correlated directly with the particle dimensions and shape. When stirred, aggregation between primary particles is detected even after 12 min (56 °C). The platelet morphology is promoted by constant stirring of the solution, through an oriented aggregation step between primary particles. In contrast, toroids and rods are only stabilized under static conditions. However, for toroids, aggregation is detected almost immediately after nucleation.

HKUST-1 silica aerogel composites: novel materials for the separation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons by conventional liquid chromatography

HKUST-1 silica aerogel composite was used for the efficient separation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons by conventional liquid chromatography.

Multiscale adsorption and transport in hierarchical porous materials

This review presents the state-of-the-art of multiscale adsorption and transport in hierarchical porous materials.

Synthesis, structure and characterization of a layered coordination polymer based on Zn(ii) and 6-(methylmercapto)purine

A layered coordination polymer was synthesized from Zn(ii) and 6-(methylmercapto)purine (mMP-H) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Its structure and formula [Zn₂(μ₂-mMP)₃(NO₃)(DMF)(H₂O)]_n·nDMF were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Metal-organic frameworks: versatile heterogeneous catalysts for efficient catalytic organic transformations

Novel catalytic materials are highly demanded to perform a variety of catalytic organic reactions. MOFs combine the benefits of heterogeneous catalysis like easy post reaction separation, catalyst reusability, high stability and homogeneous catalysis such as high efficiency, selectivity, controllability and mild reaction conditions. The possible organization of active centers like metallic nodes, organic linkers, and their chemical synthetic functionalization on the nanoscale shows potential to build up MOFs particularly modified for catalytic challenges. In this review, we have summarized the recent research progress in heterogeneous catalysis by MOFs and their catalytic behavior in various organic reactions, highlighting the key features of MOFs as catalysts based on the active sites in the framework. Examples of their post functionalization, inclusion of active guest species and metal nanoparticles have been discussed. Finally, the use of MOFs as catalysts for asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis and stability of MOFs has been presented as separate sections.

Structuring of metal-organic frameworks at the mesoscopic/macroscopic scale

The assembly of metal ions with organic ligands through the formation of coordination bonds gives crystalline framework materials, known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which recently emerged as a new class of porous materials. Besides the structural designability of MOFs at the molecular length scale, the researchers in this field very recently made important advances in creating more complex architectures at the mesoscopic/macroscopic scale, in which MOF nanocrystals are used as building units to construct higher-order superstructures. The structuring of MOFs in such a hierarchical order certainly opens a new opportunity to improve the material performance via design of the physical form rather than altering the chemical component. This review highlights these superstructures and their applications by categorizing them into four dimensionalities, zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) superstructures. Because the key issue for structuring of MOFs is to spatially control the nucleation process in desired locations, this review conceptually categorizes the available synthetic methodologies from the viewpoint of the reaction system.

Investigation of prototypal MOFs consisting of polyhedral cages with accessible Lewis-acid sites for quinoline synthesis

A series of prototypal metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) consisting of polyhedral cages with accessible Lewis-acid sites, have been systematically investigated for Friedländer annulation reaction.

Highly functionalized biaryls via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling catalyzed by Pd@MOF under batch and continuous flow regimes

A diverse set of more than 40 highly functionalized biaryls was synthesized successfully through the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd nanoparticles supported in a functionalized mesoporous MOF (8 wt % Pd@MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 ). This could be achieved under some of the mildest conditions reported to date and a strong control over the leaching of metallic species could be maintained, despite the presence of diverse functional groups and/or several heteroatoms. Some of the targeted molecules are important intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and we clearly exemplify the versatility of this catalytic system, which affords better yields than currently existing commercial procedures. Most importantly, Pd@MIL-101-NH2 was packed in a micro-flow reactor, which represents the first report of metallic nanoparticles supported on MOFs employed in flow chemistry for catalytic applications. A small library of 11 isolated compounds was created in a continuous experiment without replacing the catalyst, demonstrating the potential of the catalyst for large-scale applications.

Mechanically stable, hierarchically porous Cu3(btc)2 (HKUST-1) monoliths via direct conversion of copper(ii) hydroxide-based monoliths

Robust, hierarchically porous Cu₃(btc)₂ (HKUST-1, btc³⁻ = benzene-1,3,5-tricalboxylate) monoliths have been synthesized by direct conversion of sol–gel-derived Cu(OH)₂-based monoliths.

Nanoscaled copper metal-organic framework (MOF) based on carboxylate ligands as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for aerobic epoxidation of olefins and oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols

Aerobic epoxidation of olefins at a mild reaction temperature has been carried out by using nanomorphology of [Cu3(BTC)2] (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) as a high-performance catalyst through a simple synthetic strategy. An aromatic carboxylate ligand was employed to furnish a heterogeneous copper catalyst and also serves as the ligand for enhanced catalytic activities in the catalytic reaction. The utilization of a copper metal-organic framework catalyst was further extended to the aerobic oxidation of aromatic alcohols. The shape and size selectivity of the catalyst in olefin epoxidation and alcohol oxidation was investigated. Furthermore, the as-synthesized copper catalyst can be easily recovered and reused several times without leaching of active species or significant loss of activity.

Three-dimensional printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene framework coated with Cu-BTC metal-organic frameworks for the removal of methylene blue

Three-dimensional (3D) printing was applied for the fabrication of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) framework. Functionalization of the ABS framework was then performed by coating of porous Cu-BTC (BTC = benzene tricarboxylic acid) metal-organic frameworks on it using a step-by-step in-situ growth. The size of the Cu-BTC particles on ABS was ranged from 200 nm to 900 nm. The Cu-BTC/ABS framework can take up most of the space of the tubular reactor that makes the adsorption effective with no need of stirring. Methylene blue (MB) can be readily removed from aqueous solution by this Cu-BTC/ABS framework. The MB removal efficiency for solutions with concentrations of 10 and 5 mg/L was 93.3% and 98.3%, respectively, within 10 min. After MB adsorption, the Cu-BTC/ABS composite can easily be recovered without the need for centrifugation or filtration and the composite is reusable. In addition the ABS framework can be recovered for subsequent reuse. A significant advantage of 3D-printed frameworks is that different frameworks can be easily fabricated to meet the needs of different applications. This is a promising strategy to synthesize new frameworks using MOFs and polymers to develop materials for applications beyond adsorption.

Spatioselective growth of metal-organic framework nanocrystals on compositionally anisotropic polymer particles

Selective growth of metal organic framework materials on the surface of compartmentalized polymer microparticles is achieved by electro-hydrodynamic co-jetting, selective surface modification, and anisotropic crystal growth.

MOF positioning technology and device fabrication

Methods for permanent localisation, dynamic localisation and spatial control of functional materials within MOF crystals are critical for the development of miniaturised MOF-based devices for a number of technological applications.

Porous Cu–BTC silica monoliths as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of alkylbenzenes

Macro-/mesoporous silica supported Cu–BTC monoliths were in situ synthesized as efficient reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation from alkylbenzenes to ketones with moderate to excellent yields. The catalytic selectivity of such low-cost catalysts due to the sizes and shapes of the substrates.

Hierarchical porous metal–organic framework monoliths

A simple powder-packing synthesis is developed to produce crystalline MOF monoliths containing micropores and highly interconnected macropores. Fast HPLC separation using the monolithic column is demonstrated.

Molecular simulation of adsorption and transport in hierarchical porous materials

Adsorption and transport in hierarchical porous solids with micro- (~1 nm) and mesoporosities (>2 nm) are investigated by molecular simulation. Two models of hierarchical solids are considered: microporous materials in which mesopores are carved out (model A) and mesoporous materials in which microporous nanoparticles are inserted (model B). Adsorption isotherms for model A can be described as a linear combination of the adsorption isotherms for pure mesoporous and microporous solids. In contrast, adsorption in model B departs from adsorption in pure microporous and mesoporous solids; the inserted microporous particles act as defects, which help nucleate the liquid phase within the mesopore and shift capillary condensation toward lower pressures. As far as transport under a pressure gradient is concerned, the flux in hierarchical materials consisting of microporous solids in which mesopores are carved out obeys the Navier-Stokes equation so that Darcy's law is verified within the mesopore. Moreover, the flow in such materials is larger than in a single mesopore, due to the transfer between micropores and mesopores. This nonzero velocity at the mesopore surface implies that transport in such hierarchical materials involves slippage at the mesopore surface, although the adsorbate has a strong affinity for the surface. In contrast to model A, flux in model B is smaller than in a single mesopore, as the nanoparticles act as constrictions that hinder transport. By a subtle effect arising from fast transport in the mesopores, the presence of mesopores increases the number of molecules in the microporosity in hierarchical materials and, hence, decreases the flow in the micropores (due to mass conservation). As a result, we do not observe faster diffusion in the micropores of hierarchical materials upon flow but slower diffusion, which increases the contact time between the adsorbate and the surface of the microporosity.

Composite MOF foams: the example of UiO-66/polyurethane

Composite MOF foams were prepared using a direct synthesis of UiO-66 over a polyurethane foam template. Under optimized conditions, the composite materials maintained the macrostructure and flexibility of the polyurethane foam, and exhibited the microporosity, high surface area, and adsorption properties of the UiO-66. The composite MOF foam has hierarchical porosity and high adsorption capacity for benzene and n-hexane, maintaining more than 70% of the adsorption capacity of the UiO-66.

Selective hydrogenation over Pd nanoparticles supported on a pore-flow-through silica monolith microreactor with hierarchical porosity

Well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles have been synthesized inside the mesoporosity of a silica monolith featuring hierarchical porosity of homogeneous interconnected macropores (4 microns) and mesopores (11 nm). These monoliths have been implemented as microreactors for selective hydrogenation reactions. Conversion and selectivity can be tuned by adjusting the flow rates of hydrogen and substrates. In the selective hydrogenation of cyclooctadiene, a conversion of 95% and a selectivity of 90% in the monohydrogenated product, constant over a period of 70 h, have been reached. These figures correspond to a productivity of 4.2 mmol s(-1) g(-1)(MonoSil) (or 0.32 mol s(-1) g(-1)(Pd)). In the stereoselective hydrogenation of 3-hexyn-1-ol a constant conversion of 85% was observed, with however moderate selectivity into the cis isomer, over a test period of 7 h. These results open the route to the synthesis of important chemicals and intermediates via safe and green processes.