Breathing and Twisting: An Investigation of Framework Deformation and Guest Packing in Single Crystals of a Microporous Vanadium Benzenedicarboxylate

Facile solvothermal synthesis of a MIL-47(V) metal-organic framework for a high-performance Epoxy/MOF coating with improved anticorrosion properties

The vanadium-based metal-organic framework MIL-47 distinguishes itself among other MOFs for its distinctive structure and unique properties (e.g., flexible structure, high thermal stability, and high surface area). The synthesis of MIL-47 has been reported from various metal precursors, including vanadium(iii) chloride (VCl3) as a rich source of metal ions. Attempts have been made to include other starting materials, a step forward towards large-scale production. Synthesis from various solid materials is encouraged, seeking an economic and greener approach. In this study, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), a readily abundant low-cost and thermodynamically stable metal source, was used to synthesize the MIL-47(V) framework via a facile solvothermal route. This precursor provides a controllable rate of metal ion production depending on the applied reaction conditions. In our method, the synthesis took place at a low temperature and reaction time (180 °C for 20 h, instead of 220 °C for 72 h), yielding MIL-47 microrods. Moreover, among its unique properties, the metal centers of MIL-47 oxidize under the influence of thermal or chemical treatments, preserving the framework structure. This unusual character is not commonly witnessed in comparable MOF structures. This property can be leveraged in anti-corrosion applications, whereby a redox reaction would sacrifice the framework components, protecting the metal in contact. However, the chemical stability of MIL-47 is doubted against a corrosive medium. Thus, an epoxy coating with 10 wt% MOF loading was incorporated in our investigation to extend the aluminum alloy (AA2024) surface protection for prolonged exposure duration. The uniformity of distribution of the prepared MOF within the epoxy matrix was confirmed using SEM/EDX. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to evaluate the corrosion performance of the coated samples. The results showed that the inclusion of V-MOF offers extended corrosion prevention, over 60 days, for the AA2024 alloy against artificial seawater. The neat epoxy coating could not prevent the corrosion of AA2024 over two weeks of immersion, whereby pitting corrosion was clearly observed. The V-MOF could induce a series of redox reactions leading to the precipitation of vanadium on the cathodic sites of metal surfaces.

Sn-C and Se-C Co-Bonding SnSe/Few-Layered Graphene Micro-Nano Structure: Route to a Densely Compacted and Durable Anode for Lithium/Sodium-Ion Batteries

Developing anodes with a high and stable energy density for both gravimetric and volumetric storage is vital for high-performance lithium/sodium-ion batteries. Herein, an SnSe/few-layered graphene (FLG) composite with a high tap density (2.3 g cm^-3) is synthesized via the plasma-milling method, in which SnSe nanoparticles are strongly bound with the FLG matrix, owing to both Sn-C and Se-C bonds, to form nanosized primary particles and then assemble to microsized secondary granules. The FLG can effectively alleviate the large stress generated from the volume expansion of SnSe during cycling based on its superstrength. Furthermore, as demonstrated by the density-functional theory calculations, the Sn-C and Se-C co-bonding benefitting from the formation of substantial vacancy defects on the P-milling-synthesized FLG enables strong affinity between SnSe nanoparticles and the FLG matrix, preventing SnSe from aggregating and detaching even after long-term cycling. As an anode for lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits high gravimetric and volumetric capacities (864.8 mAh g^-1 and 1990 mAh cm^-3 at 0.2 A g^-1), a high rate (612.6 mAh g^-1 even at 5.0 A g^-1), and the longest life among the reported SnSe-based anodes (capacity retention of 92.8% after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g^-1). Subsequently, an impressive cyclic life (capacity retention of 91.6% after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g^-1) is also achieved for sodium-ion batteries. Therefore, the SnSe/FLG composite is a promising anode for high-performance lithium/sodium-ion batteries.

Redox-switchable breathing behavior in tetrathiafulvalene-based metal-organic frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that respond to external stimuli such as guest molecules, temperature, or redox conditions are highly desirable. Herein, we coupled redox-switchable properties with breathing behavior induced by guest molecules in a single framework. Guided by topology, two flexible isomeric MOFs, compounds 1 and 2, with a formula of In(Me₂NH₂)(TTFTB), were constructed via a combination of [In(COO)₄]⁻ metal nodes and tetratopic tetrathiafulvalene-based linkers (TTFTB). The two compounds show different breathing behaviors upon the introduction of N₂. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, accompanied by molecular simulations, reveals that the breathing mechanism of 1 involves the bending of metal–ligand bonds and the sliding of interpenetrated frameworks, while 2 undergoes simple distortion of linkers. Reversible oxidation and reduction of TTF moieties changes the linker flexibility, which in turn switches the breathing behavior of 2. The redox-switchable breathing behavior can potentially be applied to the design of stimuli-responsive MOFs.

Modulating the adsorption behaviours of metal-organic frameworks using external stimuli is desirable, but challenging to achieve. Here, Zhou and colleagues design an indium-based MOF in which tetrathiafulvalene ligands undergo reversible redox reactions that alter the framework breathing behaviour.

Crystal structure of dimethyl 3,4,5,6-tetra-phenyl-cyclo-hexa-3,5-diene-1,2-di-carboxyl-ate

In the title compound, C34H28O4, the cyclo-hexa-diene ring has a screw-boat conformation with a torsion angle between the double bonds being on average ca 15° [15.2 (3) and -15.3 (3) in the two independent mol-ecules]. All four phenyl rings in both mol-ecules are arranged in a propeller-like conformation. The two mol-ecules exhibit S,R- and R,S- chirality, respectively, and are connected via C-H⋯O inter-molecular inter-actions. In turn, these weakly bound dimers form the mol-ecular crystal.

Quasi-1D physics in metal-organic frameworks: MIL-47(V) from first principles

The geometric and electronic structure of the MIL-47(V) metal-organic framework (MOF) is investigated by using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Special focus is placed on the relation between the spin configuration and the properties of the MOF. The ground state is found to be antiferromagnetic, with an equilibrium volume of 1554.70 Å(3). The transition pressure of the pressure-induced large-pore-to-narrow-pore phase transition is calculated to be 82 MPa and 124 MPa for systems with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic chains, respectively. For a mixed system, the transition pressure is found to be a weighted average of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic transition pressures. Mapping DFT energies onto a simple-spin Hamiltonian shows both the intra- and inter-chain coupling to be antiferromagnetic, with the latter coupling constant being two orders of magnitude smaller than the former, suggesting the MIL-47(V) to present quasi-1D behavior. The electronic structure of the different spin configurations is investigated and it shows that the band gap position varies strongly with the spin configuration. The valence and conduction bands show a clear V d-character. In addition, these bands are flat in directions orthogonal to VO6 chains, while showing dispersion along the the direction of the VO6 chains, similar as for other quasi-1D materials.

High valence 3p and transition metal based MOFs

This article focuses on high valence 3p and transition metal based metal organic frameworks.

Inclusion properties of volatile organic compounds in a calixarene-based organic zeolite

The inclusion properties of a calixarene-based porous material have been studied to investigate the adsorption and the desorption of carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and water in the zeolite-like structure. Uptake and release processes have been studied both by time-resolved powder X-ray diffraction and by thermogravimetric analysis to obtain structural and kinetic information. The selected guests are able to enter the structure with an increase in the host cell volume and with time-dependent diffusivity coefficients. Chloroform molecules act as a permanent porosity switch promoting a phase transition to non-porous triclinic form.