High Methane Storage Working Capacity in Metal–Organic Frameworks with Acrylate Links

A copper-amidocarboxylate based metal organic macrocycle and framework: synthesis, structure and catalytic activities towards microwave assisted alcohol oxidation and Knoevenagel reactions

Two new Cu(ii) based macrocycle and MOF act as catalysts for the microwave-assisted oxidation and Knoevenagel reactions.

MIL-100Cr with open Cr sites for a record N2O capture

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is considered as the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane and needs to be removed from air. Herein, we reported the metal-organic framework MIL-100Cr with open Cr sites for record N2O capture capacities of 5.78 mmol g-1 at 298 K and 8.25 mmol g-1 at 273 K, respectively. DFT calculations showed that the static binding energy of N2O on the open-Cr site is notably higher than that of N2, 72.5 kJ mol-1vs. 51.6 kJ mol-1, which enforces MIL-100Cr to exhibit extremely high N2O/N2 ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) gas separation selectivity up to 1000.

Flat-Histogram Monte Carlo as an Efficient Tool To Evaluate Adsorption Processes Involving Rigid and Deformable Molecules

Monte Carlo simulations are the foundational technique for predicting thermodynamic properties of open systems where the process of interest involves the exchange of particles. Thus, they have been used extensively to computationally evaluate the adsorption properties of nanoporous materials and are critical for the in silico identification of promising materials for a variety of gas storage and chemical separation applications. In this work we demonstrate that a well-known biasing technique, known as "flat-histogram" sampling, can be combined with temperature extrapolation of the free energy landscape to efficiently provide significantly more useful thermodynamic information than standard open ensemble MC simulations. Namely, we can accurately compute the isosteric heat of adsorption and number of particles adsorbed for various adsorbates over an extremely wide range of temperatures and pressures from a set of simulations at just one temperature. We extend this derivation of the temperature extrapolation to adsorbates with intramolecular degrees of freedom when Rosenbluth sampling is employed. Consequently, the working capacity and isosteric heat can be computed for any given combined temperature/pressure swing adsorption process for a large range of operating conditions with both rigid and deformable adsorbates. Continuous thermodynamic properties can be computed with this technique at very moderate computational cost, thereby providing a strong case for its application to the in silico identification of promising nanoporous adsorbents.

Structure-Function Relations for Gravimetric and Volumetric Methane Storage Capacities in Activated Carbon

The complex structure of activated carbon can be described as a three-dimensional network of graphene layers oriented in random directions. In this work, we propose a new model of the microporous structure, taking into account the degree of activation. We derive a structural relation between porosity, skeletal density, specific surface area, and the number of graphitic blocks per unit volume. In addition, we present a new approach to evaluate the interdependency between porosity and specific surface area by combining high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and subcritical nitrogen adsorption. Finally, we propose a structural metric that predicts the relation between the volumetric storage capacity and the gravimetric storage capacity of supercritical methane at room temperature.

Coordination Network That Reversibly Switches between Two Nonporous Polymorphs and a High Surface Area Porous Phase

We report a 2-fold interpenetrated primitive cubic (pcu) network X-pcu-5-Zn, [Zn₂(DMTDC)₂(dpe)] (H₂DMTDC = 3,4-dimethylthieno[2,3- b]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene), that exhibits reversible switching between an as-synthesized "open" phase, X-pcu-5-Zn-α, and two nonporous or "closed" polymorphs, X-pcu-5-Zn-β and X-pcu-5-Zn-γ. There are two unusual features of X-pcu-5-Zn. The first relates to its sorption properties, which reveal that the α form exhibits high CO₂ uptake (ca. 255 cm³/g at 195 K) via reversible closed-to-open switching (type F-IV isotherm) of the type desirable for gas and vapor storage; there are only three other reports of porous materials that combine these two features. Second, we could only isolate the β form by activation of the CO₂ loaded α form and it persists through multiple CO₂ adsorption/desorption cycles. We are unaware of a new polymorph having been isolated in such a manner. That the observed phase changes of X-pcu-5-Zn-α occur in single-crystal-to-single-crystal fashion enabled structural characterization of the three forms; γ is a coordination isomer of α and β, both of which are based upon "paddlewheel" clusters.

Incorporating Heavy Alkanes in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Optimizing Adsorbed Natural Gas Capacity

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as methane adsorbents are highly promising materials for applications such as methane-powered vehicles, flare gas capture, and field natural gas separation. Pre- and post-synthetic modification of MOFs have been known to help improve both the overall methane uptake as well as the working capacity. Here, a post-synthetic modification strategy to non-covalently modify MOF adsorbents for the enhancement of the natural gas uptake for the MOF material is introduced. In this study, PCN-250 adsorbents were doped with C₁₀ alkane and C₁₄ fatty acid and their impact on the methane uptake capabilities was investigated. It was found that even trace amounts of heavy hydrocarbons could considerably enhance the raw methane uptake of the MOF while still being regenerable. The doped hydrocarbons are presumably located at the mesoporous defects of PCN-250, thus optimizing the framework-methane interactions. These findings reveal a general approach that can be used to modify the MOF absorbents, improving their ability to be sustainable and renewable natural gas adsorption platforms.

A difunctional azido-cobalt(ii) coordination polymer exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation behaviour and high-energy characteristics with good thermostability and insensitivity

A novel one-dimensional azido-cobalt(ii) compound, [Co2(1-mbt)2(N3)4]n (1) (1-mbt = 1-((2-propyl-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-benzo[1,2,3]triazole), was solvothermally synthesized. X-ray crystal structure analysis demonstrates that two crystallographically independent Co(ii) atoms in the asymmetrical unit of compound 1 exhibit a rectangular pyramid geometry. The 3D supermolecular network of 1 consists of well-isolated 1D metal chains in which the azido bridging ligands assume an unusual pattern of combination with the Co(ii) centre as the sign of [-EE-EO-EO-EO-]n. The various coordination modes of the azido anion are responsible for different magnetic exchanges between the adjacent Co(ii) ions. The end-to-end (EE) mode mediates the antiferromagnetic coupling, whereas the end-on (EO) manner contributes to the ferromagnetic interaction. Magneto-structural relationships are discussed with the aid of theoretical calculations which are employed to find the potential single-ion magnetic anisotropy and reproduce the observed magnetic coupling properly. Alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that 1 features a typical behaviour of field-induced slow magnetic relaxation. Energetic characterization evidences that the resulting compound possesses satisfactory detonation properties, superior lack of sensitivity and thermostability owing to the high nitrogen content (N% = 40.10%) and a coherent intrachain configuration. The kinetic parameters of the exothermic processes for 1 are investigated by the Kissinger method and the Ozawa method. We note that 1 has potential application prospects as a new generation of environmentally friendly high-energy materials based on this nitrogen-rich and oxygen-free system. In addition, the compound is developed as a practical additive to promote the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). The finding in this work highlights an example of effective development of advanced magneto-energetic materials.

Unexpected Nonresponsive Behavior of a Flexible Metal-Organic Framework under Conformational Changes of a Photoresponsive Guest Molecule

In this article, we describe the synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of a photochromic-guest-incorporated metal-organic framework (MOF). The photochromic guest molecule, 2-phenylazopyridine (PAP), was introduced into a pre-synthesized porous crystalline host MOF, [Zn₂(1,4-bdc)₂(dabco)] _n (1). The successful embedment of PAP has been confirmed by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction measurements, IR spectroscopy, etc. The number of PAP molecules per unit cell of host was 1.0, as evidenced by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses of the host-guest composite, 1⊃PAP. The 1⊃PAP composite did not adsorb N₂, revealed by the adsorption isotherm of 1⊃PAP, which indicates the pore blockage by the close contact of the host framework with the guest PAP in the trans form. The light-induced trans/cis isomerization with partial reversibility of the guest molecule (PAP) in this hybrid host-guest compound (1⊃PAP) has been investigated by detailed IR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The structural transformation from tetragonal in 1 to orthorhombic in 1⊃PAP exhibits dynamic nature of the framework upon inclusion of guest in the framework, which remarkably becomes nonresponsive with the photoirradiation of guest PAP, retaining its orthorhombic structure in the photoirradiated complex, 1⊃PAP(UV).

Self-Assembly in Polyoxometalate and Metal Coordination-Based Systems: Synthetic Approaches and Developments

Utilizing new experimental approaches and gradual understanding of the underlying chemical processes has led to advances in the self-assembly of inorganic and metal–organic compounds at a very fast pace over the last decades. Exploitation of unveiled information originating from initial experimental observations has sparked the development of new families of compounds with unique structural characteristics and functionalities. The main source of inspiration for numerous research groups originated from the implementation of the design element along with the discovery of new chemical components which can self-assemble into complex structures with wide range of sizes, topologies and functionalities. Not only do self-assembled inorganic and metal–organic chemical systems belong to families of compounds with configurable structures, but also have a vast array of physical properties which reflect the chemical information stored in the various “modular” molecular subunits. The purpose of this short review article is not the exhaustive discussion of the broad field of inorganic and metal–organic chemical systems, but the discussion of some representative examples from each category which demonstrate the implementation of new synthetic approaches and design principles.

Sequence-Dependent Peptide Surface Functionalization of Metal-Organic Frameworks

We report a noncovalent surface functionalization technique for water-stable metal-organic frameworks using short peptide sequences identified via phage display. Specific frameworks-binding peptides were identified for crystalline Zn(MeIM)₂ (MeIM: 2-methylimidazole, ZIF-8), semiamorphous Fe-BTC (BTC: 1,3,5-benzene-tricarboxylate), and Al(OH)(C₄H₂O₄) (MIL-53(Al)-FA, FA: fumaric acid), and their thermodynamic binding affinities and specificities were measured. Electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and gas adsorption analysis confirmed that the peptide-functionalized frameworks retained similar characteristics compared to their as-synthesized counterparts. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy demonstrated that peptide was localized on the surface of the frameworks, whereas surface area measurements showed no evidence of pore blockage. Finally, we measured the pH-dependent release of fluorescein from peptide-functionalized frameworks and discovered that peptide binding can attenuate fluorescein release by improving framework stability under low pH conditions. Our results demonstrate that phage display can be used as a general method to identify specific peptide sequences with strong binding affinity to water-stable metal-organic frameworks and that these peptides can alter drug release kinetics by affecting framework stability in aqueous environments.

Nanospace within metal-organic frameworks for gas storage and separation

Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as porous coordination polymers, represent a new class of porous materials, and one of their striking features lies in their tunable, designable, and functionalizable nanospace. This nanospace within MOFs provides virtually plenty of room for imagination, allowing designed incorporation of different size, shape, and functionalities for targeted gas storage and separation applications. Furthermore, the features of high porosities, tunable framework structures and pore sizes, and immobilized functional sites enable MOF materials to fully make use of their nanopore space for gas storage, to optimize their sieving effects, and to differentiate their interactions with gas molecules for gas separation. In this review article, we highlight some recent significant advances in developing microporous MOFs for some of the most important gas storage and separation applications.

Efficient light hydrocarbon separation and CO2 capture and conversion in a stable MOF with oxalamide-decorated polar tubes

The first strontium-based MOF possessing polar tubular channels embedded with a high density of open Lewis acidic metal sites and basic oxalamide groups was constructed, which shows not only a high CO₂ and C₂H₆ adsorption capability and significant selectivity for CO₂ over both CH₄ and CO, and for C₂H₆ over CH₄, but also size-selective chemical conversion of CO₂ with epoxides producing cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions.

Cd-Based metal-organic frameworks from solvothermal reactions involving in situ aldimine condensation and the highly sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions

Four Cd(ii)-based compounds (1-4) were synthesized from solvothermal reactions involving the in situ aldimine condensation of an o-diamino-functionalized precursor 3,6-di(4H-imidazol-4-yl)benzene-1,2-diamine (L), Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and aldehyde. Two modes of cycloaddition ([4 + 1] cycloaddition and [4 + 2] cycloaddition) occurred during condensation, causing the in situ generation of two benzimidazole derivative ligands (L1 and L3) and a quinoxaline derivative ligand (L2). Furthermore, the chemical selectivity of the condensation was studied, where the condensation of o-diamino and the aldehyde is more stable and easy to operate. This strategy enriches the synthesis method of MOFs. Additionally, compound 2 containing uncoordinated quinoxaline N atoms showed excellent luminescent sensitivity for Fe³⁺ detection.

Anion-Controlled Architecture and Photochromism of Naphthalene Diimide-Based Coordination Polymers

Three new cadmium coordination polymers, namely [Cd(NO₃)₂(DPNDI)(CH₃OH)]·CH₃OH (1), [Cd(SCN)₂(DPNDI)] (2), and [Cd(DPNDI)₂(DMF)₂]·2ClO₄ (3) (DPNDI = N,N-di(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been synthesized by reactions of DPNDI with Cd(NO₃)₂, Cd(SCN)₂, and Cd(ClO₄)₂, respectively. Compound 1 is a one-dimensional coordination polymer with strong lone pair-π interactions between the coordinated NO₃⁻ anions and the imide ring of DPNDI; while 2 is a two-dimensional network with a (4, 4) net topology. In the case of 3, due to the presence of uncoordinated perchlorate counter ions, it exhibits a non-interpenetrated square-grid coordination polymer containing one-dimensional rhomboid channels. The structural diversity in these compounds is attributed to different coordination abilities and geometries of counter anions. Due to the presence of electron-deficient NDI moiety, the photochromic behavior of these compounds was studied. Interestingly, only compounds 1 and 3 exhibit color changes under light irradiation. The influence of the anions on the photochromism process of the NDI-based materials has been discussed.

A sol-gel monolithic metal-organic framework with enhanced methane uptake

A critical bottleneck for the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel has been the development of materials capable of storing it in a sufficiently compact form at ambient temperature. Here we report the synthesis of a porous monolithic metal-organic framework (MOF), which after successful packing and densification reaches 259 cm³ (STP) cm^-3 capacity. This is the highest value reported to date for conformed shape porous solids, and represents a greater than 50% improvement over any previously reported experimental value. Nanoindentation tests on the monolithic MOF showed robust mechanical properties, with hardness at least 130% greater than that previously measured in its conventional MOF counterparts. Our findings represent a substantial step in the application of mechanically robust conformed and densified MOFs for high volumetric energy storage and other industrial applications.

Dual-Function Metal-Organic Framework-Based Wearable Fibers for Gas Probing and Energy Storage

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) coupled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been developed with an ultrahigh sensitivity for hazardous gas monitoring. Both the MOF/MWCNT and as-derived metal oxides (MOs)/MWCNTs hybrid fibers deliver an ultralow detection limit for NO₂ down to 0.1 ppm without external heating, and they can be further bent into different angles without loss of sensing performance. Also, a high specific capacitance of 110 F cm^-3 can also be obtained for MO/MWCNT hybrid fibers, demonstrating promising application for integrated wearable devices.

DUT-58 (Co) Derived Synthesis of Co Clusters as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalyst for Zinc-Air Battery

To meet the requirement of fuel cells and metal-air batteries, non-noble metal catalysts have to be developed to replace precious platinum-based catalysts. Herein, Co nanoclusters (≈2 nm) are anchored on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (Co/N-r-GO) by using DUT-58 (Co) metal-organic framework and GO as precursors. Compared with single-atom catalysts usually with ultralow concentration (<0.5 wt%), Co nanoclusters are more beneficial to break the O-O bond to ensure four electronic way for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), since they can provide more adsorption centers for reactants. Therefore, as expected, the sample with 6.67 wt% Co content (Co/N-r-GO-5%-850) exhibits better ORR activity with a higher half-wave potential of 0.831 V, a more positive onset potential of 0.921 V than Pt/C, and a comparable limiting current density in alkaline medium. The Co nanoclusters enhance the catalytic performance for ORR in three aspects: quantum size effects, metal-support interactions, and low-coordination environment of metal centers. Furthermore, the sample is assembled into a zinc-air battery as the outstanding durable ORR catalyst. It displays a higher specific capacity (795 mAh g-1 at the current density 50 mA cm-2) and power density (175 mW cm-2) than Pt/C (731 mAh g-1 and 164 mW cm-2, respectively).

Effective Formaldehyde Capture by Green Cyclodextrin-Based Metal-Organic Framework

A kind of metal-organic framework made from γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and potassium ions were explored as excellent formaldehyde (HCHO) absorbents. The adsorption capacity and speed of γ-CD-MOF-K are both about 9 times higher than those of activated carbon, which are attributed to the porous structure and synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding and host-guest interactions.

An unprecedented water stable acylamide-functionalized metal–organic framework for highly efficient CH4/CO2 gas storage/separation and acid–base cooperative catalytic activity

HNUST-8 exhibits water stable, efficient CH₄/CO₂ storage and separation, acid–base cooperative catalytic activity in a tandem deacetalization Knoevenagel densation.

Highly stable Y(iii)-based metal organic framework with two molecular building block for selective adsorption of C2H2 and CO2 over CH4

A novel microporous MOF ZJU-16 exhibited high thermal and chemical stability and moderately high selective separation of C₂H₂/CH₄ and CO₂/CH₄.

Computational design of tetrazolate-based metal–organic frameworks for CH4 storage

Tetrazolate-based metal–organic frameworks are designed and screened for CH₄ storage.

Synthesis, Structure, and Dye Adsorption Properties of a Nickel(II) Coordination Layer Built from d-Camphorate and Bispyridyl Ligands

Reaction of NiCl₂∙6H₂O, d-camphoric acid (d-H₂cam), and N,N'-bis(pyraz-2-yl)piperazine (bpzpip) in pure water at 150 °C afforded a novel nickel(II) coordination layer, [Ni₄(d-cam)₂(d-Hcam)₄(bpzpip)₄(H₂O)₂] (1), under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals that 1 adopts a six-connected two-dimensional (2D) chiral layer structure with 3⁶-hxl topology. Dye adsorption explorations indicate that 1 readily adsorbs methyl blue (MyB) from water without destruction of crystallinity. On the contrary, methyl orange (MO) is not adsorbed at all. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model could be used to interpret the adsorption kinetics for MyB. Equilibrium isotherm studies suggest complicated adsorption processes for MyB which do not have good applicability for either the two-parameter Langmuir or Freundlich isotherm model. The saturated adsorption capacity of 1 for MyB calculated by Langmuir is 185.5 mg·g-1 at room temperature.

Recent advances in metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks for sample preparation and chromatographic analysis

In the field of analytical chemistry, sample preparation and chromatographic separation are two core procedures. The means by which to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and detection limit of a method have become a topic of great interest. Recently, porous organic frameworks, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been widely used in this research area because of their special features, and different methods have been developed. This review summarizes the applications of MOFs and COFs in sample preparation and chromatographic stationary phases. The MOF- or COF-based solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) methods are described. The excellent properties of MOFs and COFs have resulted in intense interest in exploring their performance and mechanisms for sample preparation and chromatographic separation.

Porous Metal-Organic Polyhedral Frameworks with Optimal Molecular Dynamics and Pore Geometry for Methane Storage

Natural gas (methane, CH₄) is widely considered as a promising energy carrier for mobile applications. Maximizing the storage capacity is the primary goal for the design of future storage media. Here we report the CH₄ storage properties in a family of isostructural (3,24)-connected porous materials, MFM-112a, MFM-115a, and MFM-132a, with different linker backbone functionalization. Both MFM-112a and MFM-115a show excellent CH₄ uptakes of 236 and 256 cm³ (STP) cm^-3 (v/v) at 80 bar and room temperature, respectively. Significantly, MFM-115a displays an exceptionally high deliverable CH₄ capacity of 208 v/v between 5 and 80 bar at room temperature, making it among the best performing metal-organic frameworks for CH₄ storage. We also synthesized the partially deuterated versions of the above materials and applied solid-state ²H NMR spectroscopy to show that these three frameworks contain molecular rotors that exhibit motion in fast, medium, and slow regimes, respectively. In situ neutron powder diffraction studies on the binding sites for CD₄ within MFM-132a and MFM-115a reveal that the primary binding site is located within the small pocket enclosed by the [(Cu₂)₃(isophthalate)₃] window and three anthracene/phenyl panels. The open Cu(II) sites are the secondary/tertiary adsorption sites in these structures. Thus, we obtained direct experimental evidence showing that a tight cavity can generate a stronger binding affinity to gas molecules than open metal sites. Solid-state ²H NMR spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies reveal that it is the combination of optimal molecular dynamics, pore geometry and size, and favorable binding sites that leads to the exceptional and different methane uptakes in these materials.

Study of the scale-up, formulation, ageing and ammonia adsorption capacity of MIL-100(Fe), Cu-BTC and CPO-27(Ni) for use in respiratory protection filters

The metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) MIL-100(Fe), Cu-BTC and CPO-27(Ni) were synthesised in 1 kg batches. The materials were then formed in two different industrially relevant ways. Firstly, dry granulation was used to produce pellets which were sieved to give material with a 300–1000 μm size, and the fines were subsequently recycled to mimic a large scale industrial process. Secondly, wet granulation with a polymer was used to produce granules which were again sieved to 300–1000 μm. XRD data shows that the structures of MIL-100(Fe) and CPO-27(Ni) remain intact during both forming processes, whilst Cu-BTC is shown to degrade during processing. This is in line with the ammonia adsorption data obtained for the formed materials which evaluated the ammonia adsorption capacity of the materials using breakthrough measurements. MIL-100(Fe) and CPO-27(Ni) are shown to have capacities of 47 mg g⁻¹ and 62 mg g⁻¹ respectively whilst Cu-BTC has a decreased capacity of 37 mg g⁻¹ from 97 mg g⁻¹ upon forming. The formed materials were also aged at 25 °C and 80% humidity for a week and the ammonia adsorption capacity re-evaluated. As expected, Cu-BTC decomposed under these conditions, whilst MIL-100(Fe) and CPO-27(Ni) show slightly decreased ammonia adsorption capacities of 36 mg g⁻¹ and 60 mg g⁻¹ respectively.

Systematic study on preparation of copper nanoparticle embedded porous carbon by carbonization of metal–organic framework for enzymatic glucose sensor

A new Cu nanoparticles embedded porous carbon composite was prepared by simple pyrolysis of HKUST-1, which shows high efficient (detection limit: 3.2 × 10⁻⁹ M) glucose sensing ability with high selectivity.

Spiers Memorial Lecture: : Progress and prospects of reticular chemistry

Reticular chemistry, the linking of molecular building units by strong bonds to make crystalline, extended structures such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), is currently one of the most rapidly expanding fields of science. In this contribution, we outline the origins of the field; the key intellectual and practical contributions, which have led to this expansion; and the new directions reticular chemistry is taking that are changing the way we think about making new materials and the manner with which we incorporate chemical information within structures to reach additional levels of functionality. This progress is described in the larger context of chemistry and unexplored, yet important, aspects of this field are presented.