Efficient capture and storage of ammonia in robust aluminium-based metal-organic frameworks

Chemistries and materials for atmospheric water harvesting

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is recognized as a crucial strategy to address the global challenge of water scarcity by tapping into the vast reserves of atmospheric moisture for potable water supply. Within this domain, sorbents lie in the core of AWH technologies as they possess broad adaptability across a wide spectrum of humidity levels, underpinned by the cyclic sorption and desorption processes of sorbents, necessitating a multi-scale viewpoint regarding the rational material and chemical selection and design. This Invited Review delves into the essential sorption mechanisms observed across various classes of sorbent systems, emphasizing the water-sorbent interactions and the progression of water networks. A special focus is placed on the insights derived from isotherm profiles, which elucidate sorbent structures and sorption dynamics. From these foundational principles, we derive material and chemical design guidelines and identify key tuning factors from a structural-functional perspective across multiple material systems, addressing their fundamental chemistries and unique attributes. The review further navigates through system-level design considerations to optimize water production efficiency. This review aims to equip researchers in the field of AWH with a thorough understanding of the water-sorbent interactions, material design principles, and system-level considerations essential for advancing this technology.

Harvesting Water from Air with High-Capacity, Stable Furan-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

We synthesized two isoreticular furan-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), MOF-LA2-1(furan) and MOF-LA2-2(furan) with rod-like secondary building units (SBUs) featuring 1D channels, as sorbents for atmospheric water harvesting (LA = long arm). These aluminum-based MOFs demonstrated a combination of high water uptake and stability, exhibiting working capacities of 0.41 and 0.48 gwater/gMOF (under isobaric conditions of 1.70 kPa), respectively. Remarkably, both MOFs showed a negligible loss in water uptake after 165 adsorption-desorption cycles. These working capacities rival that of MOF-LA2-1(pyrazole), which has a working capacity of 0.55 gwater/gMOF. The current MOFs stand out for their high water stability, as evidenced by 165 cycles of water uptake and release. MOF-LA2-2(furan) is the first aluminum MOF to employ a double 'long arm' extension strategy, which is confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The MOFs were synthesized by using a straightforward synthesis route. This study offers valuable insights into the design of durable, water-stable MOFs and underscores their potential for efficient water harvesting.

MFM-300(Sc): a chemically stable Sc(III)-based MOF material for multiple applications

Developing robust multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is the key to advancing the further deployment of MOFs into relevant applications. Since the first report of MFM-300(Sc) (MFM = Manchester Framework Material, formerly known as NOTT-400), the development of applications of this robust microporous MOF has only grown. In this review, a summary of the applications of MFM-300(Sc), as well as some emerging advanced applications, have been discussed. The adsorption properties of MFM-300(Sc) are presented systematically. Particularly, this contribution is focused on acid and corrosive gas adsorption. In addition, recent applications for catalysis based on the outstanding hemilabile Sc-O bond character are highlighted. Finally, some new research areas are introduced, such as host-guest chemistry and biomedical applications. This highlight aims to showcase the recent advances and the potential for developing new applications of this promising material.