Enhanced water stability and catalytic activity of Fe-based metal-organic frameworks with co-ligands for 2,4-dichlorophenol degradation

Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have good photocatalytic performance, environmental friendliness, low cost, and abundance. However, their applications are limited by low water stability, particularly in the presence of light irradiation and oxidizing agents. In this study, we present a MIL-53(Fe)-based MOF using 1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic (1,4-NDC) and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic (H2BDC) acid co-ligands, denoted MIL-53(Fe)-Nx, where Nx represents the ratio of 1,4-NDC. This MOF exhibits high water stability and good photocatalytic activity because of the hydrophobicity of naphthalene. The removal and mineralization rates for 100 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenol reached 100% and 22%, respectively, within 60 min. After three cycles of use, the Fe leached into the solution from the catalysts was significantly lower than the maximum permissible limit indicated in the European Union standard. Of note, 1,4-NDC can be used to make a rigid MOF, thereby improving the crystallinity, porosity, and hydrophobicity of the resultant materials. It also significantly reduced the bandgap energy and improved the charge separation efficiency of the catalysts. This study provides a route to enhance the water stability of Fe-based MOFs via a mixed-ligand strategy to expand their applications in pollutant control.

Efficient Strategy for Investigating the Third-Order Nonlinear Optical (NLO) Properties of Solid-State Coordination Polymers

The investigation of third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of coordination polymers (CPs) based on solid samples is very difficult but is crucial for practical applications. Herein, we show a method for preparing high optical quality CP films in a polymer matrix to study the third-order NLO performance of solid-state CPs. Two novel azobenzene-based CPs, [CdL(DMAc)(H₂O)]_n (1) and {[CuL(4,4'-azobpy)]·3H₂O}_n (2) (H₂L = 5-((4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenoxy)methyl)isophthalic acid), were selected as study subjects. The corresponding microcrystals with a grain size of around 3 μm were doped into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), forming CP films (1-MC/PVA and 2-MC/PVA). 1-MC/PVA and 2-MC/PVA exhibit NLO absorption switching behavior from saturable absorption (SA) to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) with increasing pulse energy. Moreover, their NLO properties can also be efficiently modulated by photostimulation energy due to the trans → cis isomerization of an azobenzene moiety. The density functional theory (DFT) results show that the narrower the band gap between the conduction band minimum and the valence band maximum, the denser the electron density distribution in the central mental and coordination atoms, which is beneficial to exhibit better third-order NLO performance. This work provides a feasible method for the wider practical application of solid materials with excellent third-order NLO performance.

Energy Band Alignment and Redox-Active Sites in Metalloporphyrin-Spaced Metal-Catechol Frameworks for Enhanced CO2 Photoreduction

Two new chemically stable metalloporphyrin-bridged metal-catechol frameworks, InTCP-Co and FeTCP-Co, were constructed to achieve artificial photosynthesis without additional sacrificial agents and photosensitizers. The CO₂ photoreduction rate over FeTCP-Co considerably exceeds that obtained over InTCP-Co, and the incorporation of uncoordinated hydroxyl groups, associated with catechol, into the network further promotes the photocatalytic activity. The iron-oxo coordination chain assists energy band alignment and provides a redox-active site, and the uncoordinated hydroxyl group contributes to the visible-light absorptance, charge-carrier transfer, and CO₂ -scaffold affinity. With a formic acid selectivity of 97.8 %, FeTCP-OH-Co affords CO₂ photoconversion with a reaction rate 4.3 and 15.7 times higher than those of FeTCP- Co and InTCP-Co, respectively. These findings are also consistent with the spectroscopic study and DFT calculation.

Pillared cobalt metal-organic frameworks act as chromatic polarizers

The ease with which molecular building blocks can be ordered in metal-organic frameworks is an invaluable asset for many potential applications. In this work, we exploit this inherent order to produce chromatic polarizers based on visible-light linear dichroism via cobalt paddlewheel chromophores.

A newly-constructed hydrolytically stable Co(ii) coordination polymer showing dual responsive fluorescence sensing of pH and Cu2+

A novel CP (1), showing distinct dual responsive fluorescence sensing of pH in three continuous stages as well as efficient and selective sensing of Cu²⁺.

Crystal structure of poly[triaqua-(di(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2 N,N′)-μ4-silanetetrayltetrakis(benzene-4,1-diyl)tetrakis (hydrogen phosphonato)-κ4 O:O′:O′′:O′′′) dicadmium(II)], C44H42N4O15P4Cd2Si

C44H42N4O15P4Cd2Si, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 13.4778(9) Å, b = 14.2036(9) Å, c = 15.2206(10) Å, α = 69.637(1)°, β = 72.355(1)°, γ = 64.861(1)°, V = 2431.1(3) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0428, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0987, T = 120(2) K.

Crystal structure of 4,4′-bipyridin-1,1′-dium poly[bis(μ4-benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(hydrogen phosphonato-κ4 O:O′:O′′:O′′′))zinc(II)], C11H11NO9P3Zn

C11H11NO9P3Zn, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 12.619(2) Å, b = 8.4948(12) Å, c = 13.954(2) Å, β = 90.588(3)°, V = 1495.7(4) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0413, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0965, T = 120(2) K.

Water and Metal-Organic Frameworks: From Interaction toward Utilization

The steep stepwise uptake of water vapor and easy release at low relative pressures and moderate temperatures together with high working capacities make metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) attractive, promising materials for energy efficient applications in adsorption devices for humidity control (evaporation and condensation processes) and heat reallocation (heating and cooling) by utilizing water as benign sorptive and low-grade renewable or waste heat. Emerging MOF-based process applications covered are desiccation, heat pumps/chillers, water harvesting, air conditioning, and desalination. Governing parameters of the intrinsic sorption properties and stability under humid conditions and cyclic operation are identified. Transport of mass and heat in MOF structures, at least as important, is still an underexposed topic. Essential engineering elements of operation and implementation are presented. An update on stability of MOFs in water vapor and liquid systems is provided, and a suite of 18 MOFs are identified for selective use in heat pumps and chillers, while several can be used for air conditioning, water harvesting, and desalination. Most applications with MOFs are still in an exploratory state. An outlook is given for further R&D to realize these applications, providing essential kinetic parameters, performing smart engineering in the design of systems, and conceptual process designs to benchmark them against existing technologies. A concerted effort bridging chemistry, materials science, and engineering is required.

Charge, adsorption, water stability and bandgap tuning of an anionic Cd(ii) porphyrinic metal–organic framework

By changing the occupancies of the metal ions and counterions, the tuning of the framework charge, band-edge position and bandgap of a novel Cd(ii) porphyrinic MOF 1 was achieved.

The utilization of a stable 2D bilayer MOF for simultaneous study of luminescent and photocatalytic properties: experimental studies and theoretical analysis

A new Pb(ii)-based 2D MOF comprising π-conjugated ligand 4'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (TZBPDC) and having the formula {[PbNa(TZBPDC)](H2O)(DMF)2} n (1) has been synthesized. Structural characterization of 1 indicates that the MOF has a 4-connected (4,4) motif. The photoluminescent investigation indicates that 1 can behave as potential luminescent sensor for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), especially 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and ferric ions, through the decrease in its luminescence intensity. Additionally, 1 also displays excellent capacity for the photodegradation of methylene orange (MO), which is a constituent of wastewater discharge. The most plausible mechanisms for the decrease in the luminescent intensity of 1 in the presence of different NACs have been explored though theoretical calculations, and the photocatalysis of 1 for organic dyes has been addressed using density of states (DOS) and partial DOS calculations.

Syntheses of Exceptionally Stable Aluminum(III) Metal-Organic Frameworks: How to Grow High-Quality, Large, Single Crystals

The difficulty of obtaining large single crystals of aluminum carboxylate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for structure determinations has limited the development of these water and thermally stable MOFs. Herein, how large single crystals of known MIL-53(Al) and the first two tetrahedral ligand-based, visible-light-absorbing 3D Al-MOFs, [Al₃ (OH)₃ (HTCS)₂ ] (AlTCS-1) and [Al₅ O₂ (OH)₃ (TCS)₂ (H₂ O)₂ ] (AlTCS-2; TCS=tetrakis(4-oxycarbonylphenyl)silane), are obtained in the presence of hydrofluoric or formic acid for conventional single-crystal diffraction measurements is presented. The technique of obtaining those single crystals has potential to be a general method for obtaining large and good-quality single crystals of Al-MOFs. AlTCS-1 and -2 are stable over a wide pH range (1-11), and AlTCS-1 is even stable in aqua regia solution for at least 24 h. The BET specific surface areas of AlTCS-1 and -2 are 11 and 1506 m²  g^-1 , respectively. AlTCS-2 takes up 51 cm³  (STP) g^-1 CO₂ and 15 cm³  (STP) g^-1 CH₄ at 298 K and 1 bar, which is relatively high among MOF materials. AlTCS-1 takes up 30 cm³  g^-1 CO₂ and 4.2 cm³  g^-1 CH₄ at 298 K and 1 bar. The rapid and stable photocurrent responses of AlTCS-1 and -2 under UV and visible-light illumination are observed. Moreover, AlTCS-1 photocatalyzes the water-splitting reaction under visible light with an average hydrogen evolution efficiency of 50 μmol g^-1  h^-1 for the first 10 h in a mixture of water and triethanolamine.