In-situ IR monitoring to probe the formation of structural defects in Zr-fumarate metal–organic framework (MOF)

Probing Ce- and Zr-Fumarate Metal-Organic Framework Formation in Aqueous Solutions with In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

The synthesis of Ce-fumarate and Zr-fumarate metal-organic framework (MOF) is monitored for the first time with in situ Raman spectroscopy in custom-built solvothermal reactors. Several synthesis conditions were explored for Ce-fumarate at room temperature. The use of the method for high-temperature synthesis of Zr-fumarate is also demonstrated. In situ Raman monitoring provided insights into both the solution and crystalline phases of the reaction medium, revealing the dynamic interplay among precursors, modulators, and the forming MOF structure. The reaction kinetics was determined by following the characteristic peak at 1666 cm-1. The conversion was in good agreement with the reaction kinetics determined via in situ synchrotron powder diffraction. The resulting MOF products were further characterized using ex situ X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and surface area measurements. This study demonstrates a simple and industrially scalable method for monitoring MOF synthesis in situ, which can provide insights into the stages and mechanisms of formation of MOFs and other compounds.

Exploring cluster formation in Zr-MOF synthesis in situ using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a Zr-oxo cluster [(Zr6O4(OH)4)]12- are exceptionally stable and offer vast potential for a wide range of applications. Synthesis parameters strongly affect the quality, stability, morphology, etc., of the MOFs. In this study, we present an experimental set-up that allows following in situ element-specific chemical transformations during synthesis and the effect of various reaction parameters on the reaction products. Zr-fumarate formation was monitored using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in ZrCl4-DMF-based solutions. We have studied (i) the local (∼2-5 Å) environment around Zr4+ ions in the early stages of the Zr-oxo cluster formation and MOF-synthesis reaction, (ii) kinetics of the synthesis reaction and its dependence on water and modulator concentrations, and (iii) the effect of the reaction parameters on MOF product quality. XAS data have provided direct evidence that the increased amounts of water and modulator accelerate the reaction. It has also confirmed that water is essential for MOF formation in DMF. Zr-cluster formation and the synthesis reaction were not observed in the absence of water in ZrCl4-DMF and ZrCl4-DMF-linker-modulator solutions. According to the EXAFS data, Zr4+ ions are octahedrally coordinated by chlorine atoms in anhydrous solutions with and without the linker. In contrast, the Zr-oxo clusters and MOFs were formed only in the presence of water. The results of the in situ experiments were correlated with post-synthetic characterization of the resultant MOF products.

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Clean Energy Conversion: Recent Advances in Unlocking its Underlying Mechanisms

Carbon neutrality is an important goal for humanity . As an eco-friendly technology, electrocatalytic clean energy conversion technology has emerged in the 21st century. Currently, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based electrocatalysis, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), are the mainstream energy catalytic reactions, which are driven by electrocatalysis. In this paper, the current advanced characterizations for the analyses of MOF-based electrocatalytic energy reactions have been described in details, such as density function theory (DFT), machine learning, operando/in situ characterization, which provide in-depth analyses of the reaction mechanisms related to the above reactions reported in the past years. The practical applications that have been developed for some of the responses that are of application values, such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and water splitting have also been demonstrated. This paper aims to maximize the potential of MOF-based electrocatalysts in the field of energy catalysis, and to shed light on the development of current intense energy situations.

Efficient Generation of Large Collections of Metal-Organic Framework Structures Containing Well-Defined Point Defects

High-throughput molecular simulations of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a useful complement to experiments to identify candidates for chemical separation and storage. All previous efforts of this kind have used simulations in which MOFs are approximated as defect-free. We introduce a tool to readily generate missing-linker defects in MOFs and demonstrate this tool with a collection of 507 defective MOFs. We introduce the concept of the maximum possible defect concentration; at higher defect concentrations, deviations from the defect-free crystal structure would be readily evident experimentally. We studied the impact of defects on molecular adsorption as a function of defect concentrations. Defects have a slightly negative or negligible influence on adsorption at low pressures for ethene, ethane, and CO₂ but a strong positive influence for methanol due to hydrogen bonding with defects. Defective structures tend to have loadings slightly higher than those of defect-free structures for all adsorbates at elevated pressures.

Microcurvature Controllable Metal-Organic Framework Nanoagents Capable of Ice-Lattice Matching for Cellular Cryopreservation

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) produced by psychrophilic organisms to adapt for the survival of psychrophiles in subzero conditions have received illustrious interest as a cryopreservation agent required for cells and tissues to completely recover after freezing/thawing. Depressing water-freezing point and avoiding ice-crystal growth affect their activities which are closely related to the presence of ice crystal well-matched binding moiety. The interaction of IBPs with ice and water is critical in enhancing their freeze avoidance against cell or tissue damage. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a controllable lattice at the molecular level and a size at the nanometer scale can offer periodically ordered ice-binding sites by modifying organic linkers and controlling microcurvature at the ice surface. Herein, zirconium (Zr)-based MOF-801 nanoparticles (NPs) with good biocompatibility were used as a cryoprotectant that is well dispersed and colloidal-stable in an aqueous solution. The MOF NP size was precisely controlled, and 10, 35, 100, and 250 nm NPs were prepared. The specific IBPs-mimicking pendants (valine and threonine) were simply introduced into the MOF NP-surface through the acrylate-based functionalization to endow with hydrophilic and hydrophobic dualities. When small-sized MOF-801 NPs were attached to ice, they confined ice growth in high curvature between the adsorption sites because of the decreased radius of the convex area of the growth region, leading to highly enhanced ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI). Surface-functionalized MOF NPs could increase the number of anchored clathrate water molecules with hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the ice-binding moiety, effectively inhibiting ice growth. The MOF-801 NPs were biocompatible with various cell lines regardless of concentration or NP surface-functionalization, whereas the smaller-sized surface-functionalized NPs showed a good cell recovery rate after freezing/thawing by induction of IRI. This study provides a strategy for the fabrication of low-cost, high-volume antifreeze nanoagents that can extend useful applications to organ transplantation, cord blood storage, and vaccines/drugs.