Computational Simulations of Metal-Organic Frameworks to Enhance Adsorption Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), renowned for their exceptional porosity and crystalline structure, stand at the forefront of gas adsorption and separation applications. Shortly after their discovery through experimental synthesis, computational simulations quickly become an important method in broadening the use of MOFs by offering deep insights into their structural, functional, and performance properties. This review specifically addresses the pivotal role of molecular simulations in enlarging the molecular understanding of MOFs and enhancing their applications, particularly for gas adsorption. After reviewing the historical development and implementation of molecular simulation methods in the field of MOFs, high-throughput computational screening (HTCS) studies used to unlock the potential of MOFs in CO2 capture, CH4 storage, H2 storage, and water harvesting are visited and recent advancements in these adsorption applications are highlighted. The transformative impact of integrating artificial intelligence with HTCS on the prediction of MOFs' performance and directing the experimental efforts on promising materials is addressed. An outlook on current opportunities and challenges in the field to accelerate the adsorption applications of MOFs is finally provided.

Calculation of Self, Corrected, and Transport Diffusivities of Isopropyl Alcohol in UiO-66

The UiO-6x family of metal-organic frameworks has been extensively studied for applications in chemical warfare agent (CWA) capture and destruction. An understanding of intrinsic transport phenomena, such as diffusion, is key to understanding experimental results and designing effective materials for CWA capture. However, the relatively large size of CWAs and their simulants makes diffusion in the small-pored pristine UiO-66 very slow and hence impractical to study directly with direct molecular simulations because of the time scales required. We used isopropanol (IPA) as a surrogate for CWAs to investigate the fundamental diffusion mechanisms of a polar molecule within pristine UiO-66. IPA can form hydrogen bonds with the μ3-OH groups bound to the metal oxide clusters in UiO-66, similar to some CWAs, and can be studied by direct molecular dynamics simulations. We report self, corrected, and transport diffusivities of IPA in pristine UiO-66 as a function of loading. Our calculations highlight the importance of the accurate modeling of the hydrogen bonding interactions on diffusivities, with about an order of magnitude decrease in diffusion coefficients when the hydrogen bonding between IPA and the μ3-OH groups is included. We found that a fraction of the IPA molecules have very low mobility during the course of a simulation, while a small fraction are highly mobile, exhibiting mean square displacements far greater than the ensemble average.

Investigation of Guest-Induced Flexibility in Pyrazine Derivative of ALFFIVE MOF via Molecular Simulation

One of the important understandings of porous solids like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is their flexibility. Therefore, there are certain computational studies on flexible MOFs in the literature, primarily concentrating on MIL-53, UiO-66, and DUT-49. Here, investigation of another class of MOF, that is, [Ni(1,4-pyrazine)₂(AlF₅)]_n, was shown to have guest-induced flexible characteristics; nevertheless, the mechanism for the emergence of flexibility is uncertain. We simulated the structural flexibility of [Ni(1,4-pyrazine)₂(AlF₅)]_n, named ALFFIVE-Ni-pyr-TBP, upon adsorption of a guest molecule based on force fields using the molecular dynamics (MD) method and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. As the first step towards understanding guest-induced flexibility, the MC simulations were performed by relaxing the framework and then further comparing it with the rigid framework. Subsequently, MD simulations were executed on the ALFFIVE-Ni-pyr-TBP framework with and without the guest molecules. In the case of moisture adsorption, the MOF system was identified to undergo a geometric transformation from trigonal bipyramidal to square bipyramidal geometry due to the strong interaction of oxygen of the water with the metal aluminum. However, some tilting in the pyrazine ligand was observed in the presence of all the guest molecules. Therefore, the detailed guest-induced flexibility described in this work could support the ALFFIVE series to be explored for future adsorption applications.

Recent advances in simulating gas permeation through MOF membranes

In the last two decades, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained increasing attention in membrane-based gas separations due to their tunable structural properties. Computational methods play a critical role in providing molecular-level information about the membrane properties and identifying the most promising MOF membranes for various gas separations. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art in molecular modeling methods to simulate gas permeation through MOF membranes and review the recent advancements. We finally address current opportunities and challenges of simulating gas permeation through MOF membranes to guide the development of high-performance MOF membranes in the future.

MOF-Based Membranes for Gas Separations

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent the largest known class of porous crystalline materials ever synthesized. Their narrow pore windows and nearly unlimited structural and chemical features have made these materials of significant interest for membrane-based gas separations. In this comprehensive review, we discuss opportunities and challenges related to the formation of pure MOF films and mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). Common and emerging separation applications are identified, and membrane transport theory for MOFs is described and contextualized relative to the governing principles that describe transport in polymers. Additionally, cross-cutting research opportunities using advanced metrologies and computational techniques are reviewed. To quantify membrane performance, we introduce a simple membrane performance score that has been tabulated for all of the literature data compiled in this review. These data are reported on upper bound plots, revealing classes of MOF materials that consistently demonstrate promising separation performance. Recommendations are provided with the intent of identifying the most promising materials and directions for the field in terms of fundamental science and eventual deployment of MOF materials for commercial membrane-based gas separations.

MOFs-carbon hybrid nanocomposites in environmental protection applications

The demand for green engineering environmentally friendly nanomaterials had made carbon nanotube a suitable material to keep metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the application of wastewater treatment and air pollution monitoring systems. This review summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the synthesis of MOFs and MOFs-carbon hybrid nanocomposites for various applications such as wastewater treatment and removal of hazardous gases (CO, SO₂, H₂S and NH₃) with emphasis on MOF/CNTs composites. This review focuses on the efficient removal of pollutants from the environment using adsorption techniques. Another important application of MOFs composite discussed in this review is sensor materials for environmental pollution.

Anomalous Dynamics of a Nanoconfined Gas in a Soft Metal-Organics Framework

Dynamics of confined molecules within porous materials is equally important as local structural order, and it is necessary to quantify it and to reveal the microscopic mechanisms ruling it for better control of adsorption applications. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to investigate the translational and the rotational dynamics of methanol trapped into the flexible NH₂-MIL-53(Al) metal-organics framework (MOF). Indeed, atomistic simulation is nowadays a relevant tool to explore matter at the nanoscale. Very recently it has been shown that the NH₂-MIL-53(Al) MOF material was capable to undergo a reversible structural transition (breathing phenomenon) by combining adsorption and thermal stimuli. This flexibility can drastically affect the dynamics of confined molecules and therefore the successful conduct of adsorption applications such as gas storage and separation. Rotational and translational dynamics of confined methanol through nanoporous flexible NH₂-MIL-53(Al) MOF were then deeply investigated by exploring a broad range of dynamical properties to extract the molecular mechanisms ruling them. This study allowed us to shed light on the interplay of dynamics of confined fluids and flexibility of porous material and to highlight the physical insights in diffusion mechanisms of confined molecules. Anomalous translational diffusion was evidenced due to a dynamical heterogeneity caused by a combination of a localized dynamics at the subnanometric scale and translational jumps between nanodomains in a zigzag scheme between the hydroxide group of the NH₂-MIL-53(Al). Actually, the non-Fickian dynamics of methanol is the result of the specific host-guest interactions and the MOF flexibility involving the pore opening. Eventually, decoupling between both rotational and translational dynamics related to breaking in the Stokes-Einstein relation was highlighted.

Intermediate states approach for adsorption studies in flexible metal–organic frameworks

Adsorption studies in flexible metal–organic frameworks are challenging and time-consuming.

Thermal and Guest-Assisted Structural Transition in the NH₂-MIL-53(Al) Metal Organic Framework: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation

Reversible structural transition between the Large (LP) and Narrow Pore (NP) forms (breathing phenomena) of the MIL-53(X, X = Al, Cr, Fe, Ga) Metal Organic Framework (MOF) is probably one of the most amazing physical properties of this class of soft-porous materials. Whereas great attention has been paid to the elucidation of the physical mechanism ruling this reversible transition, the effect of the functionalization on the flexibility has been less explored. Among functionalized MIL-53(Al) materials, the case of NH2-MIL-53(Al) is undoubtedly a very intriguing structural transition rarely observed, and the steadier phase corresponds to the narrow pore form. In this work, the flexibility of the NH2-MIL-53(Al) metal organic framework was investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Guest (methanol) and thermal breathing of the NH2-MIL-53(Al) was thus explored. We show that it is possible to trigger a reversible transition between NP and LP forms upon adsorption, and we highlight the existence of stable intermediate forms and a very large pore phase. Furthermore, the NP form is found thermodynamically stable from 240 to 400 K, which is the result of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds.

On flexible force fields for metal-organic frameworks: Recent developments and future prospects

Classical force field simulations can be used to study structural, diffusion, and adsorption properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). To account for the dynamic behavior of the material, parameterization schemes have been developed to derive force constants and the associated reference values by fitting on ab initio energies, vibrational frequencies, and elastic constants. Here, we review recent developments in flexible force field models for MOFs. Existing flexible force field models are generally able to reproduce the majority of experimentally observed structural and dynamic properties of MOFs. The lack of efficient sampling schemes for capturing stimuli-driven phase transitions, however, currently limits the full predictive potential of existing flexible force fields from being realized. This article is categorized under: Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials ScienceMolecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Mechanics.

Flexible Force Field Parameterization through Fitting on the Ab Initio-Derived Elastic Tensor

Constructing functional forms and their corresponding force field parameters for the metal–linker interface of metal–organic frameworks is challenging. We propose fitting these parameters on the elastic tensor, computed from ab initio density functional theory calculations. The advantage of this top-down approach is that it becomes evident if functional forms are missing when components of the elastic tensor are off. As a proof-of-concept, a new flexible force field for MIL-47(V) is derived. Negative thermal expansion is observed and framework flexibility has a negligible effect on adsorption and transport properties for small guest molecules. We believe that this force field parametrization approach can serve as a useful tool for developing accurate flexible force field models that capture the correct mechanical behavior of the full periodic structure.

Modeling of adsorption of CO2 in the deformed pores of MIL-53(Al)

Molecular simulations were performed to predict CO₂ adsorption in flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). A generic force field was fitted to our experimental data to describe the non-bonded (electrostatic and van der Waals) interactions between CO₂ molecules and the large pore (lp) and narrow pore (np) forms of the MIL-53(Al) framework. With the new validated force field, it is possible to predict CO₂ uptake and enthalpy of adsorption at various applied external pressures that will modify the structure's pore configuration and allow us to have more control over the adsorption/desorption process. A sensitivity analysis of MOF adsorption properties to the variation of the force field parameters was also intensively studied. It was shown that relatively small variations of the adsorbate gas model can improve the quality of the numerical predictions of the experimental data. However, the variations must be kept small enough to not modify the properties of the gas itself.

Gas diffusion on graphene surfaces

Gas diffusion on graphene surfaces is a two-dimensional gas behavior, controlled not by the hopping mechanism but by molecular collisions.

Molecular modeling of zinc paddlewheel molecular complexes and the pores of a flexible metal organic framework

A new all-atom first-principles force field (FF) is constructed for the bimetallic, four-bladed zinc paddlewheel (ZPW) motif. Zinc-ligand interactions are described via Morse functions and the angular geometry at the metal centers is modeled with a pure ligand-ligand repulsion term. The ZPW-FF is principally based on 15 DFT-optimized model systems of general formula ZnPR.nL, where ZnP is the base Zn2(O2CR)4 unit, R = H, CH3 or CF3, L = NH3 or pyridine, and n = 0, 1 or 2. It correctly generates the distorted tetrahedral coordination of the uncapped [Zn2(O2CR)4] species in their ground states as well as giving reasonable structures and energies for the higher symmetry D4h transition state conformations. The zinc-ligand Morse function reference distance, r 0 , is further refined against 30 complexes located in the Cambridge Structural Database and this FF is applied to pore models of the flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) [Zn(bdc)2(dabco)]n (bdc = 1,4-benzendicarboxylate; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2)octane). A single pore model reproduces the unit cell of the evacuated MOF system while a 3×3 grid model is necessary to provide good agreement with the observed pronounced structural changes upon adsorption of either dimethylformamide or benzene.

Calcium-decorated carbon nanostructures for the selective capture of carbon dioxide

First-principles calculations of carbon dioxide adsorption on Ca-decorated nanostructures were performed to examine the feasibility of using the nanostructures for the selective capture of carbon dioxide. Ca-decorated nanostructures, such as zigzag graphene nanoribbons and graphyne, can serve as highly selective CO₂ capture materials.