Quasi-Free Methyl Rotation in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8

The Surface of Colloidal Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles Revealed by Vibrational Sum Frequency Scattering Spectroscopy

Solvation shells strongly influence the interfacial chemistry of colloidal systems, from the activity of proteins to the colloidal stability and catalysis of nanoparticles. Despite their fundamental and practical importance, solvation shells have remained largely undetected by spectroscopy. Furthermore, their ability to assemble at complex but realistic interfaces with heterogeneous and rough surfaces remains an open question. Here, we apply vibrational sum frequency scattering spectroscopy (VSFSS), an interface-specific technique, to colloidal nanocrystals with porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a case study. Due to the porous nature of the solvent-particle boundary, MOF particles challenge conventional models of colloidal and interfacial chemistry. Their multiweek colloidal stability in the absence of conventional surface ligands suggests that stability may arise in part from solvation forces. Spectra of colloidally stable Zn(2-methylimidazolate)2 (ZIF-8) in polar solvents indicate the presence of ordered solvation shells, solvent-metal binding, and spontaneous ordering of organic bridging linkers within the MOF. These findings help explain the unexpected colloidal stability of MOF colloids, while providing a roadmap for applying VSFSS to wide-ranging colloidal nanocrystals in general.

Eco-Friendly Sustainable and Responsive High-Performance Benzotriazole-Metal Organic Frameworks/Silica Composite Coating with Active/Passive Corrosion Protection on Copper

Coatings with only passive protection cannot offer long-term anticorrosion on metals. Eco-friendly sustainable and responsive coating for active/passive corrosion protection is desirable to extend the service life of metals. Here, benzotriazole (BTA)-metal organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs, UiO-66) were embedded in silica (SiO2) coating by one-step electrodeposition on copper. Combined with passive capability of MOFs and active protection of BTA inhibitor, the composite coating (BTA-MOF/SiO2) exhibited high and stable corrosion resistance, confirmed by microstructure characterizations and electrochemical tests. As a result, the as-prepared composite coating exhibited superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 154.2°. With loading of BTA-MOF in SiO2 coating, the impedance modulus at 0.01 Hz increased by ∼10-fold and the corrosion current density decreased to 3.472 × 10-9 A·cm-2. Immersion and salt spray tests confirmed the long-term protection of the composite coating. The responsive release of BTA inhibitor endows the coating with a responsively anticorrosive behavior. The active-passive ability makes the coating a good candidate for protection on metals used in highly salty environments.

Corrosion Resistance of the GO/ZIF-8 Hybrid Loading Benzotriazole as a Multifunctional Composite Filler-Modified MgAlY Layered Double Hydroxide Coating

A composite coating with good load-carrying and controlled release capabilities for the corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole (BTA) was prepared while providing active and passive corrosion protection for magnesium alloy systems. In this paper, the organic corrosion inhibitor BTA was loaded into the ZIF-8/GO hybrid (GZB), and then, the GZB composite was coated with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). Then, the GZB composites carried by HDTMS were made to adhere a ternary MgAlY layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating based on microarc oxidation (MAO) coating by electrophoresis (Si-MgAlY LDH coating). The successful loading of BTA by GZB composites was verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Meanwhile, the Si-MgAlY LDH coating was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The potentiodynamic polarization curves show that the corrosion current density of the Si-MgAlY LDH coating reaches (2.08 ± 0.49) × 10^-9 A/cm², which means that the Si-MgAlY LDH coating greatly improves the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy AZ31. The Si-MgAlY LDH coating can also achieve self-healing function in harsh environments, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of passive and active protection. The composite coating is of great significance to expand the potential applications of magnesium alloys.

ResponZIF Structures: Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks as Stimuli-Responsive Materials

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have long been recognized as a prominent subset of the metal-organic framework (MOF) family, in part because of their ease of synthesis and good thermal and chemical stability, alongside attractive properties for diverse potential applications. Prototypical ZIFs like ZIF-8 have become embodiments of the significant promise held by porous coordination polymers as next-generation designer materials. At the same time, their intriguing property of experiencing significant structural changes upon the application of external stimuli such as temperature, mechanical pressure, guest adsorption, or electromagnetic fields, among others, has placed this family of MOFs squarely under the umbrella of stimuli-responsive materials. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the triggered structural and electronic responses observed in ZIFs (linker and bond dynamics, crystalline and amorphous phase changes, luminescence, etc.). We then describe the state-of-the-art experimental and computational methodology capable of shedding light on these complex phenomena, followed by a comprehensive summary of the stimuli-responsive nature of four prototypical ZIFs: ZIF-8, ZIF-7, ZIF-4, and ZIF-zni. We further expose the relevant challenges for the characterization and fundamental understanding of responsive ZIFs, including how to take advantage of their flexible properties for new application avenues.

The relation between crystal structure and the occurrence of quantum-rotor-induced polarization

Among hyperpolarization techniques, quantum-rotor-induced polarization (QRIP), also known as the Haupt effect, is a peculiar one. It is, on the one hand, rather simple to apply by cooling and heating a sample. On the other hand, only the methyl groups of a few substances seem to allow for the effect, which strongly limits the applicability of QRIP. While it is known that a high tunnel frequency is required, the structural conditions for the effect to occur have not been exhaustively studied yet. Here we report on our efforts to heuristically recognize structural motifs in molecular crystals able to allow to produce QRIP.

Room-Temperature Colossal Magnetoresistance in Terraced Single-Layer Graphene

Disorder-induced magnetoresistance (MR) effect is quadratic at low perpendicular magnetic fields and linear at high fields. This effect is technologically appealing, especially in 2D materials such as graphene, since it offers potential applications in magnetic sensors with nanoscale spatial resolution. However, it is a great challenge to realize a graphene magnetic sensor based on this effect because of the difficulty in controlling the spatial distribution of disorder and enhancing the MR sensitivity in the single-layer regime. Here, a room-temperature colossal MR of up to 5000% at 9 T is reported in terraced single-layer graphene. By laminating single-layer graphene on a terraced substrate, such as TiO₂ -terminated SrTiO₃ , a universal one order of magnitude enhancement in the MR compared to conventional single-layer graphene devices is demonstrated. Strikingly, a colossal MR of >1000% is also achieved in the terraced graphene even at a high carrier density of ≈10¹² cm^-2 . Systematic studies of the MR of single-layer graphene on various oxide- and non-oxide-based terraced surfaces demonstrate that the terraced structure is the dominant factor driving the MR enhancement. The results open a new route for tailoring the physical property of 2D materials by engineering the strain through a terraced substrate.

ZIF-8 Metal Organic Framework for the Conversion of Glucose to Fructose and 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural

Herein, Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is considered as an easy and cheap to prepare alternative catalyst for the isomerization of glucose and production of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). For the synthesis of the ZIF-8 catalysts two preparation methods were evaluated, being room temperature and hydrothermal synthesis at 140 °C. Of these, the hydrothermal synthesis method yields a material with exceptionally high surface area (1967 m2·g−1). As a catalyst, the ZIF-8 materials generated excellent fructose yields. Specifically, ZIF-8 prepared by hydrothermal synthesis yielded a fructose selectivity of 65% with a glucose conversion of 24% at 100 °C in aqueous reaction medium. However, this selectivity dropped dramatically when the reactions were repeated at higher temperatures (~140 °C). Interestingly, greater quantities of mannose were produced at higher temperatures too. The lack of strong Brønsted acidity in both ZIF-8 materials resulted in poor HMF yields. In order to improve HMF yields, reactions were performed at a lower pH of 1.0. At 140 °C the lower pH was found to drive the reaction towards HMF and double its yield. Despite the excellent performance of ZIF-8 catalysts in batch reactions, their activity did not translate well to the flow reactor over a continuous run of 8 h, which was operating with a residence time of 6 min. The activity of ZIF-8 halved in the flow reactor at 100 °C in ~3 h, which implies that the catalyst’s stability was not maintained in the long run.

Rotational Dynamics of Linkers in Metal⁻Organic Frameworks

Among the numerous fascinating properties of metal⁻organic frameworks (MOFs), their rotational dynamics is perhaps one of the most intriguing, with clear consequences for adsorption and separation of molecules, as well as for optical and mechanical properties. A closer look at the rotational mobility in MOF linkers reveals that it is not only a considerably widespread phenomenon, but also a fairly diverse one. Still, the impact of these dynamics is often understated. In this review, we address the various mechanisms of linker rotation reported in the growing collection of literature, followed by a highlight of the methods currently used in their study, and we conclude with the impacts that such dynamics have on existing and future applications.

Controlling the size of a Zn-MOF through ligand exchange and pore-tailored ZnO assemblies for size-selective gas sensing

The nucleation and final size of Zn-MOF were modulated by ligand exchange, and the annealed ZnO assemblies exhibited size-selective sensing.

The structural and surface modification of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks towards reduction of encapsulated CO2

Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the {112} facets of ZIF-8 efficiently reduce the stored CO₂ to fuel compared to the {011} facets.

Methyl-rotation dynamics in metal–organic frameworks probed with terahertz spectroscopy

In ZIF-8 and its cobalt analogue ZIF-67, the imidazolate methyl-groups, which point directly into the void space, have been shown to freely rotate – even down to cryogenic temperatures.

Ultrathin metal-organic framework membrane production by gel-vapour deposition

Ultrathin, molecular sieving membranes composed of microporous materials offer great potential to realize high permeances and selectivities in separation applications, but strategies for their production have remained a challenge. Here we show a route for the scalable production of nanometre-thick metal–organic framework (MOF) molecular sieving membranes, specifically via gel–vapour deposition, which combines sol–gel coating with vapour deposition for solvent-/modification-free and precursor-/time-saving synthesis. The uniform MOF membranes thus prepared have controllable thicknesses, down to ~17 nm, and show one to three orders of magnitude higher gas permeances than those of conventional membranes, up to 215.4 × 10⁻⁷ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ for H₂, and H₂/C₃H₈, CO₂/C₃H₈ and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ selectivities of as high as 3,400, 1,030 and 70, respectively. We further demonstrate the in situ scale-up processing of a MOF membrane module (30 polymeric hollow fibres with membrane area of 340 cm²) without deterioration in selectivity.

MOF-based membranes have shown great promise in separation applications, but producing thin membranes that allow for high fluxes remains challenging. Here, the authors use a gel–vapour deposition strategy to fabricate composite membranes with less than 20 nm thicknesses and high gas permeances and selectivities.

Paving the way for methane hydrate formation on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)

The presence of a highly tunable porous structure and surface chemistry makes metal-organic framework (MOF) materials excellent candidates for artificial methane hydrate formation under mild temperature and pressure conditions (2 °C and 3-5 MPa). Experimental results using MOFs with a different pore structure and chemical nature (MIL-100 (Fe) and ZIF-8) clearly show that the water-framework interactions play a crucial role in defining the extent and nature of the gas hydrates formed. Whereas the hydrophobic MOF promotes methane hydrate formation with a high yield, the hydrophilic one does not. The formation of these methane hydrates on MOFs has been identified for the first time using inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD). The results described in this work pave the way towards the design of new MOF structures able to promote artificial methane hydrate formation upon request (confined or non-confined) and under milder conditions than in nature.

Gate-opening effect in ZIF-8: the first experimental proof using inelastic neutron scattering

Gate-opening effect. Inelastic neutron scattering experiments show that nitrogen exposure induces the swinging of the –CH₃ groups and the imidazolate linkers in ZIF-8, this being the origin of the gate-opening effect.

Zinc-substituted ZIF-67 nanocrystals and polycrystalline membranes for propylene/propane separation

Continuous ZIF-67 polycrystalline membranes prepared using the zinc-substitution method exhibit excellent separation performances for propylene/propane mixtures.

Hydrolytically stable ZIF-8@PDMS core–shell microspheres for gas–solid chromatographic separation

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with exceptionally high surface areas, shape selectivity and availability of multiple active sites are suitable materials to serve as solid stationary phase for chromatographic applications.

Strain engineering in semiconducting two-dimensional crystals

One of the fascinating properties of the new families of two-dimensional crystals is their high stretchability and the possibility to use external strain to manipulate, in a controlled manner, their optical and electronic properties. Strain engineering, understood as the field that study how the physical properties of materials can be tuned by controlling the elastic strain fields applied to it, has a perfect platform for its implementation in the atomically thin semiconducting materials. The object of this review is to give an overview of the recent progress to control the optical and electronics properties of 2D crystals, by means of strain engineering. We will concentrate on semiconducting layered materials, with especial emphasis in transition metal dichalcogenides (MoS2, WS2, MoSe2 and WSe2). The effect of strain in other atomically thin materials like black phosphorus, silicene, etc, is also considered. The benefits of strain engineering in 2D crystals for applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics will be revised, and the open problems in the field will be discussed.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks: next-generation materials for energy-efficient gas separations

Industrial separation processes comprise approximately 10% of the global energy demand, driven largely by the utilization of thermal separation methods (e.g., distillation). Significant energy and cost savings can be realized using advanced separation techniques such as membranes and sorbents. One of the major barriers to acceptance of these techniques remains creating materials that are efficient and productive in the presence of aggressive industrial feeds. One promising class of emerging materials is zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), an important thermally and chemically stable subclass of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide a current understanding of the synthetic methods that enable the immense tunability of ZIFs, (ii) to identify areas of success and areas for improvement when ZIFs are used as adsorbents, (iii) to identify areas of success and areas for improvement in ZIF membranes. A review is given of the state-of-the-art in ZIF synthesis procedures and novel ZIF formation pathways as well as their application in energy efficient separations.

Force field for ZIF-8 flexible frameworks: atomistic simulation of adsorption, diffusion of pure gases as CH4, H2, CO2 and N2

A full set of flexible force field parameters for ZIF-8, applied for its gas adsorption and diffusion, has been presented.

An overview: synthesis of thin films/membranes of metal organic frameworks and its gas separation performances

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), an emerging class of porous solid materials, have developed into a constructive research field with intense research interests mainly in the field of materials science and chemistry.

Engineered piezoelectricity in graphene

We discover that piezoelectric effects can be engineered into nonpiezoelectric graphene through the selective surface adsorption of atoms. Our calculations show that doping a single sheet of graphene with atoms on one side results in the generation of piezoelectricity by breaking inversion symmetry. Despite their 2D nature, piezoelectric magnitudes are found to be comparable to those in 3D piezoelectric materials. Our results elucidate a designer piezoelectric phenomenon, unique to the nanoscale, that has potential to bring dynamical control to nanoscale electromechanical devices.

Low-temperature tunneling and rotational dynamics of the ammonium cations in (NH4)2B12H12

Low-temperature neutron scattering spectra of diammonium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate [(NH(4))(2)B(12)H(12)] reveal two NH(4)(+) rotational tunneling peaks (e.g., 18.5 μeV and 37 μeV at 4 K), consistent with the tetrahedral symmetry and environment of the cations. The tunneling peaks persist between 4 K and 40 K. An estimate was made for the tunnel splitting of the first NH(4)(+) librational state from a fit of the observed ground-state tunnel splitting as a function of temperature. At temperatures of 50 K-70 K, classical neutron quasi-elastic scattering appears to dominate the spectra and is attributed to NH(4)(+) cation jump reorientation about the four C(3) axes defined by the N-H bonds. A reorientational activation energy of 8.1 ± 0.6 meV (0.79 ± 0.06 kJ/mol) is determined from the behavior of the quasi-elastic linewidths in this temperature regime. This activation energy is in accord with a change in NH(4)(+) dynamical behavior above 70 K. A low-temperature inelastic neutron scattering feature at 7.8 meV is assigned to a NH(4)(+) librational mode. At increased temperatures, this feature drops in intensity, having shifted entirely to higher energies by 200 K, suggesting the onset of quasi-free NH(4)(+) rotation. This is consistent with neutron-diffraction-based model refinements, which derive very large thermal ellipsoids for the ammonium-ion hydrogen atoms at room temperature in the direction of reorientation.