Hofmann-Type Cyanide Bridged Coordination Polymers for Advanced Functional Nanomaterials

Since the discovery of Hofmann clathrates of inorganic cyanide bridged coordination polymers (Hofmann-type CN-CPs), extensive research is done to understand their behavior during spin transitions caused by guest molecules or external stimuli. Lately, research on their nanoscale architectures for sensors and switching devices is of interest. Their potential is reported for producing advanced functional inorganic materials in two-dimensional (2D) morphology using a scalable solid-state thermal treatment method. For instance, but not restricted to, alloys, carbides, chalcogenides, oxides, etc. Simultaneously, their in situ crystallization at graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet surfaces, followed by a subsequent self-assembly to build layered lamellar structures, is reported providing hybrid materials with a variety of uses. Hence, an overview of the most recent developments is presented here in the synthesis of nanoscale structures, including thin films and powders, using Hofmann-type CN-CPs. Also thoroughly demonstrated are the most recent synthetic ideas with the modest control over the size and shape of nanoscale particles. Additionally, in order to create new functional hybrid materials for electrical and energy applications, their thermal decomposition in various environments and hybridization with GO and other guest molecules is examined. This review article also conveyed their spin transition, astounding innovative versatile adhesives, and structure features.

Effect of Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 composite on the combustion and catalytic decomposition of energetic materials: An efficient catalyst with g-C3N4 carrier

An effective strategy involving a suitable carrier is needed to improve the dispersion, combustion and catalytic performances of catalyst nanoparticles. Herein, a Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ composite employing g-C₃N₄ as the catalyst carrier was prepared by a one-step in situ hydrothermal method, which was used as the combustion catalyst of solid propellants. The catalyst's structure, morphology and its catalytic decomposition on several energetic materials were characterized by a series of analyses. The optimal ratio of g-C₃N₄ and Bi₂WO₆ was systematically determined. The results demonstrate that Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ (4:6) composite can diminish the decomposition temperatures of ammonium perchlorate (AP), cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), dihydroxylammonium 5,5'-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate (TKX-50) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine + nitrocellulose (RDX + NC) by 25.0, 5.2, 24.0 and 1.2 (4.9) ° C, and reduce their apparent activation energy by 59.5, 116.7, 11.6 kJ mol^-1, respectively. Moreover, the laser ignition tests indicate that Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ can effectively promote the ignition performance of RDX and RDX + NC. A possible mechanism of Bi₂WO₆/g-C₃N₄ on AP was proposed. The g-C₃N₄ catalyst carrier is superior to GO carrier due to its low cost, simple synthesis process, improved combustion and catalytic performances, as well as high N content. These make it have broad engineering application prospects in solid propulsion and other energetic materials.

The controllable synthesis of urchin-shaped hierarchical superstructure MOFs with high catalytic activity and stability

A novel dissolution-crystallization-attachment strategy was developed to synthesize urchin-shaped superstructure metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with self-assembled one-dimensional nanorods. The superstructure MOFs not only inherited the high activity of nanosized MOFs but also displayed the high stability of microsized MOFs.

Unusual Cu-Co/GO Composite with Special High Organic Content Synthesized by an in Situ Self-Assembly Approach: Pyrolysis and Catalytic Decomposition on Energetic Materials

An interesting Cu-Co/GO composite with special high organic content was accidentally fabricated for the first time via a one-pot solvothermal method in the mixed solvent of isopropanol and glycerol. The Cu-Co/GO composite was calcined separately in three different atmospheres (air, nitrogen, and argon) and further investigated by a series of characterization techniques. The results indicate that the spinel phase nano-CuCo₂O₄ composite, nanometal oxides (CuO and CoO), and nanometal mixture of Cu and Co were unexpectedly formed after calcination in air, N₂, and Ar atmospheres, respectively, and the possible reaction mechanism was discussed. The specific mass losses of the Cu-Co/GO composite calcined in air, N₂, and Ar atmospheres were 28.14 %, 21.68 %, and 23.76 %, respectively. The catalytic decomposition performances of the as-prepared samples for cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and the mixture of nitrocellulose (NC) and RDX (NC + RDX) were investigated and compared via DSC method, and the results demonstrate that Cu-Co/GO composites obviously decrease the thermal decomposition temperature of RDX from 242.3 to 236.5 (before calcination), 238.6 (air), 235.8 (N₂), and 228.6 °C (Ar), respectively. Cu-Co/GO(Ar) composite exhibits the best catalytic decomposition performance among all samples, which makes the decomposition temperature of RDX and NC + RDX decrease by 13.7 and 4.9 °C and the apparent activation energy of decomposition for RDX decrease by 110.1 kJ/mol. The enhanced catalytic performance of Cu-Co/GO(Ar) composite could be attributed to the smaller particle size, better crystallinity, and specific well-dispersed metal atoms, whereas the Cu-Co/GO(air) composite after air calcination presents a bad catalytic performance due to the removal of GO.

Cd(ii) coordination compounds as heterogeneous catalysts for microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation of toluene and 1-phenylethanol

Cd(ii) compounds as catalysts towards microwave assisted peroxidative oxidation (with tert-butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) of toluene and 1-phenylethanol under heterogeneous conditions are explored.

Controlling the morphology of metal–organic frameworks and porous carbon materials: metal oxides as primary architecture-directing agents

We give a comprehensive overview of how the morphology control is an effective and versatile way to control the physicochemical properties of metal oxides that can be transferred to metal–organic frameworks and porous carbon materials.

A new three-dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer based on V-shaped 3,4'-oxydibenzoate: synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

A new coordination polymer (CP), namely poly[(μ-4,4'-bipyridine)(μ₃-3,4'-oxydibenzoato)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₁₄H₈O₅)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n or [Co(3,4'-obb)(4,4'-bipy)]_n (1), was prepared by the self-assembly of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with the rarely used 3,4'-oxydibenzoic acid (3,4'-obbH₂) ligand and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) under solvothermal conditions, and has been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that each Co^II ion is six-coordinated by four O atoms from three 3,4'-obb^2- ligands, of which two function as monodentate ligands and the other as a bidentate ligand, and by two N atoms from bridging 4,4'-bipy ligands, thereby forming a distorted octahedral CoN₂O₄ coordination geometry. Adjacent crystallographically equivalent Co^II ions are bridged by the O atoms of 3,4'-obb^2- ligands, affording an eight-membered Co₂O₄C₂ ring which is further extended into a two-dimensional [Co(3,4'-obb)]_n sheet along the ab plane via 3,4'-obb^2- functioning as a bidentate bridging ligand. The planes are interlinked into a three-dimensional [Co(3,4'-obb)(4,4'-bipy)]_n network by 4,4'-bipy ligands acting as pillars along the c axis. Magnetic investigations on CP 1 disclose an antiferromagnetic coupling within the dimeric Co₂ unit and a metamagnetic behaviour at low temperature resulting from intermolecular π-π interactions between the parallel 4,4'-bipy ligands.

A three-dimensional ZnII coordination network based on 5,5'-methylenebis(2,4,6-trimethylisophthalic acid) and 2,7-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)fluorene: synthesis, structure and luminescence properties

In recent years, coordination polymers constructed from multidentate carboxylate ligands and N-containing ligands have attracted much attention since these ligands can adopt a rich variety of coordination modes which can lead to crystalline products with intriguing structures and interesting properties. A new coordination polymer, namely poly[[diaqua[μ-2,7-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)fluorene-κ²N³:N^3'][μ-5,5'-methylenebis(3-carboxy-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoato)-κ²O¹:O^1']zinc(II)] hemihydrate], {[Zn(C₂₃H₂₂O₈)(C₁₉H₁₄N₄)(H₂O)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n, 1, was prepared by the self-assembly of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with 5,5'-methylenebis(2,4,6-trimethylisophthalic acid) (H₄BTMIPA) and 2,7-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)fluorene (BIF) under solvothermal conditions. The structure of 1 was determined by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Each Zn^II ion is six-coordinated by two O atoms from two H₂BTMIPA^2- ligands, by two N atoms from two BIF ligands and by two water molecules, forming a distorted octahedral ZnN₂O₄ coordination geometry. Adjacent Zn^II ions are linked by H₂BTMIPA^2- ligands and BIF ligands, leading to the formation of a two-dimensional (2D) (4,4)-sql network, and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions connect the 2D layer structure into the three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure. Each 2D layer contains two kinds of helices with the same direction, which are opposite in adjacent layers. The luminescence properties of complex 1 in the solid state have also been investigated.

Enhanced Fenton-like catalytic performance of N-doped graphene quantum dot incorporated CuCo2O4

In the present study, a novel nanocomposite based on CuCo₂O₄ and N-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) as an iron-free heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst was prepared by a two-step solvothermal method.

Synthesis of a new Hg(II) coordination polymer: Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis and mechanical preparation of nanostructure

A new mercury(II) coordination polymer, [Hg(4-bpmo)I₂]_n (1), (4-bpmo=N,N'-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide), was synthesized, by branched tube method, and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a polymer with a distorted tetrahedral HgN₂I₂ coordination environment. The thermal stability of 1 was studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal (DTA) analyses. Also 1 was prepared by a sonochemical process at ambient temperature. Reaction time and concentration of initial reagents effects on the size and morphology were studied. Nanoparticles of 1, was synthesized easily by a mechanical method (neat grinding). The resulting structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).

Bistable Solid-State Fluorescence Switching in Photoluminescent, Infinite Coordination Polymers

Photo-functional infinite coordinated polymers (ICPs) were synthesized that consist of the photochromic dithienylethene (DTE) and a luminescent bridging unit to give enhanced fluorescence in the solid state. We could fabricate well-ordered micropatterns of these ICPs by a soft-lithographic method, which repeatedly showed high contrast on-off fluorescence switching.

Porous Fe2O3 Nanoframeworks Encapsulated within Three-Dimensional Graphene as High-Performance Flexible Anode for Lithium-Ion Battery

Integrating nanoscale porous metal oxides into three-dimensional graphene (3DG) with encapsulated structure is a promising route but remains challenging to develop high-performance electrodes for lithium-ion battery. Herein, we design 3DG/metal organic framework composite by an excessive metal-ion-induced combination and spatially confined Ostwald ripening strategy, which can be transformed into 3DG/Fe₂O₃ aerogel with porous Fe₂O₃ nanoframeworks well encapsulated within graphene. The hierarchical structure offers highly interpenetrated porous conductive network and intimate contact between graphene and porous Fe₂O₃ as well as abundant stress buffer nanospace for effective charge transport and robust structural stability during electrochemical processes. The obtained free-standing 3DG/Fe₂O₃ aerogel was directly used as highly flexible anode upon mechanical pressing for lithium-ion battery and showed an ultrahigh capacity of 1129 mAh/g at 0.2 A/g after 130 cycles and outstanding cycling stability with a capacity retention of 98% after 1200 cycles at 5 A/g, which is the best results that have been reported so far. This study offers a promising route to greatly enhance the electrochemical properties of metal oxides and provides suggestive insights for developing high-performance electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage.

One Versatile Route to Three-Dimensional Graphene Wrapped Metal Cyanide Aerogels for Enhanced Sodium Ion Storage

Facile and controllable integration of metal cyanides (MCs) into three-dimensional graphene (3DG) with advantageous structures is of fundamental importance for the development of superior MC-based electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis. Here a facile and versatile spatially-confined Ostwald ripening strategy was developed to synthesize a series of 3DG wrapped MC aerogels with different compositions, size, and structure based on the chemical instability of MC in the reaction system. Remarkably, the integration of Prussian blue (PB) into 3DG, with such unique architecture, largely improves the rate performance and long-term cycling stability of PB as a cathode material for sodium ion batteries.

Fe7Se8@C core–shell nanoparticles encapsulated within a three-dimensional graphene composite as a high-performance flexible anode for lithium-ion batteries

The composite Fe₇Se₈@C encapsulated within 3D-graphene serves as a high-performance flexible anode for LIBs with excellent rate performance.

Three-dimensional hierarchical Prussian blue composed of ultrathin nanosheets: enhanced hetero-catalytic and adsorption properties

Three-dimensional hierarchical Prussian blue composed of ultrathin nanosheets was successfully synthesized by employing a self-aggregation and oriented attachment strategy. The unique structure highly increases the exposure of micropores and metal sites of Prussian blue to guests, thus significantly enhancing its hetero-catalysis and adsorption properties compared to cubic and commercial counterparts.

Template-free syntheses of hierarchical PbS microstructures using a new sulphur source and their time-dependent morphological evolution and photocatalytic properties

Template-free PbS microstructures composed of nanocrystals exhibiting time-dependent morphological evolution from cubes to dendrites were synthesised by one-pot solvothermal route using DBDS as a new temperature controlled in situ source of S²⁻ ions.

A turn-on coordination nanoparticle-based fluorescent probe for phosphate in human serum

Coordination nanoparticles (CNPs) are becoming attractive platforms for chemical sensing applications because their unique adjustable properties offer the opportunity to design various luminescent nanoprobes. Here, we present a CNP-based fluorescent nanoprobe, in which fluorophores (rhodamine B, RB) and quenchers (methylene blue, MB) were spontaneously enfolded by coordination networks self-assembled of adenine, biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (BDA) and zinc ions. The aggregation of fluorophores and quenchers in CNPs resulted in a quenched state fluorescence of RB. RB and MB could be released from CNPs in the presence of phosphate, which triggered the fluorescence of RB. On the basis of recognition-driven disassembly principle, a novel turn-on fluorescent probe for the determination of PO4(3-) with a wide response range (0.5-50 μM) has been successfully applied in the detection of phosphate in human serum samples. This work not only develops a probe for phosphate but also provides a general strategy for designing nanoprobes or nanocarriers towards various targets by altering organic linkers or metal ions.

Ordered mesoporous hematite promoted by magnesium selective leaching as a highly efficient heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst

Selective leaching of Mg in Mg modified mesoporous hematite promotes highly efficient wet peroxide oxidation of methylene blue.

A versatile strategy to construct multifunctional metal oxide@cyanometallate-based coordination polymer heterostructures

We have developed a novel and versatile spatially confined self-assembly strategy to integrate cyanometallate-based coordination polymers with functional metal oxides into well-defined core@shell heterostructures with various structures, compositions, sizes and morphologies.

Cerium-based porous coordination polymers with hierarchical superstructures: fabrication, formation mechanism and their thermal conversion to hierarchical CeO2

Novel three-dimensional (3D) ceria hierarchical structures have been prepared via a thermolysis of the corresponding porous coordination polymer precursors.

Monocrystalline mesoporous metal oxide with perovskite structure: a facile solid-state transformation of a coordination polymer

Monocrystalline mesoporous BiFeO₃ crystals were obtained via a multi-step single-crystal to single-crystal transformation of a coordination polymer, Bi[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O.