Density Functional Theory Studies on Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 and Ionic Liquid-Based Composite Materials

Design Principles Guiding Solvent Size Selection in ZIF-Based Type 3 Porous Liquids for Permanent Porosity

Porous liquids (PLs), which are solvent-based systems that contain permanent porosity due to the incorporation of a solid porous host, are of significant interest for the capture of greenhouse gases, including CO2. Type 3 PLs formed by using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the nanoporous host provide a high degree of chemical turnability for gas capture. However, pore aperture fluctuation, such as gate-opening in zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) MOFs, complicates the ability to keep the MOF pores available for gas adsorption. Therefore, an understanding of the solvent molecular size required to ensure exclusion from MOFs in ZIF-based Type 3 PLs is needed. Through a combined computational and experimental approach, the solvent-pore accessibility of exemplar MOF ZIF-8 was examined. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations identified that the lowest-energy solvent-ZIF interaction occurred at the pore aperture. Experimental density measurements of ZIF-8 dispersed in various-sized solvents showed that ZIF-8 adsorbed solvent molecules up to 2 Å larger than the crystallographic pore aperture. Density analysis of ZIF dispersions was further applied to a series of possible ZIF-based PLs, including ZIF-67, -69, -71(RHO), and -71(SOD), to examine the structure-property relationships governing solvent exclusion, which identified eight new ZIF-based Type 3 PL compositions. Solvent exclusion was driven by pore aperture expansion across all ZIFs, and the degree of expansion, as well as water exclusion, was influenced by ligand functionalization. Using these results, a design principle was formulated to guide the formation of future ZIF-based Type 3 PLs that ensures solvent-free pores and availability for gas adsorption.

An electrochemically fabricated ZIF-67/[HOEMIM]BF4 coating for the solid-phase microextraction and detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Coatings are considered to play a crucial role in solid-phase microextraction (SPME). In this work, a novel coating named ZIF-67/[HOEMIM]BF4 was fabricated through in situ potentiostatic electrodeposition in methanol solutions containing ZIF-67 precursors and 1-(2'-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([HOEMIM]BF4). Compared with the traditional solvothermal method, this method reduced the synthesis time and enabled ZIF-67 to grow directly on the surface of stainless-steel wire, effectively simplifying the preparation process and improving the coating reproducibility. Owing to the inherent characteristics such as high porosity and high thermal and mechanical stability, and the impressive morphological regulation and extraction function of [HOEMIM]BF4, the developed coating exhibited a prolonged service life and a better extraction capacity for trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared to single ZIF-67 and commercial fibers. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of the ZIF-67/[HOEMIM]BF4-based SPME-GC method was 0.01-500 μg L-1, and the detection limit was 0.27-5.2 ng L-1. When applied in the determination of PAHs in a real water sample, recoveries between 85.6-117.3% were obtained, indicating the potential of ZIF-67/[HOEMIM]BF4 in the high efficiency SPME and GC analysis of PAHs.

Exploring ionic liquid-laden metal-organic framework composite materials as hybrid electrolytes in metal (ion) batteries

This review focuses on the combination of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs) to obtain composite materials to be used as solid electrolytes in metal-ion battery applications. Benefiting from the controllable chemical composition, tunable pore structure and surface functionality, MOFs offer great opportunities for synthesizing high-performance electrolytes. Moreover, the encapsulation of ILs into porous materials can provide environmentally benign solid-state electrolytes for electrochemical devices. Due to the versatility of MOF-based materials, in this review we also explore their use as anodes and cathodes in Li- and Na-ion batteries. Finally, solid IL@MOF electrolytes and their implementation into Li and Na batteries have been analyzed, as well as the design and advanced manufacturing of solid IL@MOF electrolytes embedded on polymeric matrices.

Ionic Liquid@Metal-Organic Framework as a Solid Electrolyte in a Lithium-Ion Battery: Current Performance and Perspective at Molecular Level

Searching for a suitable electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery is a challenging task. The electrolyte must not only be chemically and mechanically stable, but also be able to transport lithium ions efficiently. Ionic liquid incorporated into a metal-organic framework (IL@MOF) has currently emerged as an interesting class of hybrid material that could offer excellent electrochemical properties. However, the understanding of the mechanism and factors that govern its fast ionic conduction is crucial as well. In this review, the characteristics and potential use of IL@MOF as an electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery are highlighted. The importance of computational methods is emphasized as a comprehensive tool to investigate the atomistic behavior of IL@MOF and its interaction in electrochemical environments.

Magnetic γ-Fe2O3/ZIF-7 Composite Particles and Their Application for Oily Water Treatment

Crude oil spills are about global challenges because of their destructive effects on aquatic life and the environment. The conventional technologies for cleaning crude oil spills need to study the selective separation of pollutants. The combination of magnetic materials and porous structures has been of considerable interest in separation studies. Here, γ-Fe₂O₃/ZIF-7 structures were prepared by growing a ZIF-7 layer onto supermagnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average size of 18 ± 0.9 nm in situ without surface modification at low temperatures. The product composite particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. The analyses revealed a time growth-dependent ZIF-7 rod thickness with abundant nanocavities. The γ-Fe₂O₃/ZIF-7 surface area available for sorption (647 m²/g) is ∼12-fold higher than that of the γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles. Moreover, the crystal structure of γ-Fe₂O₃ remained essentially unchanged following ZIF-7 coating, whereas the superparamagnetism declined depending on the coating time. The γ-Fe₂O₃/ZIF-7 particles were highly hydrophobic and selectively and rapidly (<5 min) sorbed crude oil and other hydrocarbon pollutants from water. As high as 6 g/g of the hydrocarbon was sorbed by the γ-Fe₂O₃/ZIF-7 particles immersed into the hydrocarbon. A coefficient of determination, R ₂ ², consistently >0.96 at all pollutant concentrations suggested a pseudo-second-order sorption kinetics. The thermal stability and 15 cycles of use and reuse confirmed a robust γ-Fe₂O₃/ZIF-7 sorbent.

Density functional theory of alkali metals at the IL/graphene electrochemical interface

The mechanism of charge transfer between metal ions and graphene in the presence of an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) is investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. For that purpose, two different comparisons are established: (i) the behavior of Li⁺ and K⁺ when adsorbed onto the basal plane of graphene and (ii) the differences between Li⁺ approaching the carbon surface from the basal plane and being intercalated through the edge plane of trilayer graphene. In the first case, it is found that the metal ions must overcome high energy barriers due to their interaction with the ionic liquid before reaching an equilibrium position close to the interface. In addition, no significant charge transfer between any of the metals and graphene takes place until very close energetically unfavorable distances. The second configuration shows that Li⁺ has no equilibrium position in the proximity of the interface but instead has an equilibrium position when it is inside the electrode for which it has to cross an energy barrier. In this case, the formation of a LiC₁₂ complex is observed since the charge transfer at the equilibrium distance is achieved to a considerable extent. Thus, the interfacial charge transfer resistance on the electrode in energy devices based on ionic liquids clearly depends not only on the binding of the ionic liquid to the metal cations and their ability to form a dense solvation shell around them but also on the surface topography and its effect on the ion packing on the surface.

Carbon dioxide adsorption and activation on ionic liquid decorated Au(111) surface: A DFT study

We use first principle approaches to study the adsorption and catalytic activation mechanism of CO₂ on ionic liquids (ILs, [C_nMIm]⁺[Cl]^- (n = 0-6)) attached to a Au(111) surface. The adsorption of CO₂ at this liquid-solid model interface occurs via either (i) parallel π-stacking mode or (ii) CO₂ oxygen lone pair (lp)···π interaction. These CO₂ physisorption modes, which depend on the CO₂ landing angle at this interface, are identified as an efficient way to activate CO₂ and its further conversion into value-added products. For illustration, we discuss the conversion of CO₂ into formic acid where the ILs@Au(111) decorated interface allows reduction of the activation energy for the CO₂ + H₂ → HCOOH reaction. In sum, our electrode/electrolyte based interface model provides valuable information to design novel heterogeneous catalysts for CO₂ conversion. Indeed, our work establishes that a suitable interface material is enough to activate CO₂.

1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation binding preferences in hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid clusters determined using competitive TCID measurements and theoretical calculations

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit unique properties that have led to their development and widespread use for a variety of applications. Development efforts have generally focused on achieving desired macroscopic properties via tuning of the IL through variation of the cations and anions. Both the macroscopic and microscopic properties of an IL influence its tunability and thus feasibility of use for selected applications. Works geared toward a microscopic understanding of the nature and strength of the intrinsic cation-anion interactions of ILs have been limited to date. Specifically, the intrinsic strength of the cation-anion interactions in ILs is largely unknown. In previous work, we employed threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) approaches supported and enhanced by electronic structure calculations to determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and characterize the nature of the cation-anion interactions in a series of four 2 : 1 clusters of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations with the hexafluorophosphate anion, [2C_nmim:PF₆]⁺. To examine the effects of the 1-alkyl chain on the structure and energetics of binding, the cation was varied over the series: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₂mim]⁺, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₄mim]⁺, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₆mim]⁺, and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C₈mim]⁺. The variation in the strength of binding among these [2C_nmim:PF₆]⁺ clusters was found to be similar in magnitude to the average experimental uncertainty in the measurements. To definitively establish an absolute order of binding among these [2C_nmim:PF₆]⁺ clusters, we extend this work again using TCID and electronic structure theory approaches to include competitive binding studies of three mixed 2 : 1 clusters of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and the hexafluorophosphate anion, [C_n-2mim:PF₆:C_nmim]⁺ for n = 4, 6, and 8. The absolute BDEs of these mixed [C_n-2mim:PF₆:C_nmim]⁺ clusters as well as the absolute difference in the strength of the intrinsic binding interactions as a function of the cation are determined with significantly improved precision. By combining the thermochemical results of the previous independent and present competitive measurements, the BDEs of the [2C_nmim:PF₆]⁺ clusters are both more accurately and more precisely determined. Comparisons are made to results for the analogous [2C_nmim:BF₄]⁺ and [C_n-2mim:BF₄:C_nmim]⁺ clusters previously examined to elucidate the effects of the [PF₆]^- and [BF₄]^- anions on the binding.

Nature and strength of intrinsic cation-anion interactions of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate clusters

Imidazolium-based cations and the hexafluorophosphate anion are among the most commonly used ionic liquids (ILs). Yet, the nature and strength of the intrinsic cation-anion interactions, and how they influence the macroscopic properties of these ILs are still not well understood. Threshold collision-induced dissociation is utilized to determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of the 2 : 1 clusters of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and the hexafluorophosphate anion, [2Cnmim:PF6]+. The cation, [Cnmim]+, is varied across the series, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium [C2mim]+, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [C4mim]+, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium [C6mim]+, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium [C8mim]+, to examine the structural and energetic effects of the size of the 1-alkyl substituent of the cation on the binding to [PF6]-. Complementary electronic structure methods are employed for the [Cnmim]+ cations, (Cnmim:PF6) ion pairs, and [2Cnmim:PF6]+ clusters to elucidate details of the cation-anion interactions and their impact on structure and energetics. Multiple levels of theory are benchmarked with the measured BDEs including B3LYP, B3LYP-GD3BJ, and M06-2X each with the 6-311+G(d,p) basis set for geometry optimizations and frequency analyses and the 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis set for energetic determinations. The modest structural variation among the [Cnmim]+ cations produces only minor structural changes and variation in the measured BDEs of the [2Cnmim:PF6]+ clusters. Present results are compared to those previously reported for the analogous 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate IL clusters to compare the effects of these anions on the nature and strength of the intrinsic binding interactions.

Selection of a suitable ZIF-8/ionic liquid (IL) based composite for selective CO2 capture: the role of anions at the interface

The interfacial stability of hydrophilic/hydrophobic IL incorporated ZIF-8 is identified and the CO₂ selectivity depends on the fluorinated anions in the IL.