Synthesis of Al-Based Metal-Organic Framework in Water With Caffeic Acid Ligand and NaOH as Linker Sources With Highly Efficient Anticancer Treatment

In this study, novel nanostructures of aluminum base metal-organic framework (Al-MOF) samples were synthesized using a sustainable, non-toxic, and cost-effective green synthesis route. Satureja hortensis extract was used as an effective source of linker for the development of the Al-MOF structures. The Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrum confirmed the presence of characterization bonds related to the Al-MOF nanostructures synthesized by the green synthesis route. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that the sample synthesized by Na2-CA was composed of multilayers, although it was agglomerated, but it had dispersed and occurred in spherical particles, indicating active organic matter. N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms demonstrated the significant porosity of the Al-MOF samples that facilitate the high potential of these nanostructures in medical applications. The anticancer treatment of Al-MOF samples was performed with different concentrations using the MTT standard method with untreated cancer cells for 24 and 48 h periods. The results exhibited the significant anticancer properties of Al-MOF samples developed in this study when compared with other MOF samples. Thus, the development of a novel Al-MOF and its application as a natural linker can influence the anticancer treatment of the samples. According to the results, the products developed in this study can be used in more applications such as biosensors, catalysts, and novel adsorbents.

Overcoming Crystallinity Limitations of Aluminium Metal-Organic Frameworks by Oxalic Acid Modulated Synthesis

A modulated synthesis approach based on the chelating properties of oxalic acid (H2 C2 O4 ) is presented as a robust and versatile method to achieve highly crystalline Al-based metal-organic frameworks. A comparative study on this method and the already established modulation by hydrofluoric acid was conducted using MIL-53 as test system. The superior performance of oxalic acid modulation in terms of crystallinity and absence of undesired impurities is explained by assessing the coordination modes of the two modulators and the structural features of the product. The validity of our approach was confirmed for a diverse set of Al-MOFs, namely X-MIL-53 (X=OH, CH3 O, Br, NO2 ), CAU-10, MIL-69, and Al(OH)ndc (ndc=1,4-naphtalenedicarboxylate), highlighting the potential benefits of extending the use of this modulator to other coordination materials.

Eu-metal organic framework@TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils photoluminescence film for detecting copper ions

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging highly crystallized three-dimensional network complex formed by self-assembling metal ions and organic ligands. However, all MOFs are nanoscale and micro scale powder materials, which greatly impedes their further applications. In this study, a transparent Eu-MOF@TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (Eu-MOF@TOCNF) photoluminescence material for specifically detecting copper ions was fabricated via in-situ synthesis in hydroalcoholic medium. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fluorescence spectrometer and other equipment were applied to characterize functionalized TOCNF film samples, and the results confirmed the successful fabrication of the functionalized TOCNF film with stable fluorescence properties. The film performed a high selectivity toward copper ion in the presence of other interfering metal ions. The fluorescence intensity of the film decreased gradually with the increase of copper ion concentration, and I₀/I-1 developed a good linear relationship with [Cu²⁺], which made the film a promising material for detecting Cu²⁺ in water body.

Regeneration, degradation, and toxicity effect of MOFs: Opportunities and challenges

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been investigated extensively for separation, storage, catalysis, and sensing applications. Nonetheless, problems associated with their toxicity, recycling/reuse/regeneration, and degradation have yet to be addressed as one criterion to satisfy their commercialization. Here, the challenges associated with MOF-based technology have been explored to further expand their practical utility in various applications. We start a brief description of challenges associated with MOF-based technology followed by a critical evaluation of toxicity and need of technical options for regeneration of MOFs. Importantly, diverse techniques/process for reuse and regeneration of MOFs like activation of MOFs by heat, vacuum, solvent exchange, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) and other miscellaneous options have been discussed with recent examples. Afterward, we also present an economical aspect and future perspectives of MOFs for real world applications. All in all, we aimed to present opportunities and critical review of the current status of MOF technology with respect to their recycling/reuse/regeneration to consider their environmental impact.

Unraveling Competitive Electron and Energy-Transfer Events at the Interfaces of a 2D MOF and Nile Red Composites: Effect of the Length and Structure of the Linker

The distribution and interactions of organic molecules adsorbed on the surface of materials play important roles in many catalytic and photonic processes. Here, we show that the length and chemical structure of the linker in new Al-ITQ metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are fundamental for the dynamics of the dye Nile Red (NR) adsorbed on its surface. For the studied composites using Al-ITQ-4-ethylbenzoic acid (EB), Al-ITQ-4-aminobenzoic acid (AB), and Al-ITQ-EB exposed to the aniline (AN) or N, N-dimethylaniline (DMA) atmospheres, we observed a very fast (∼1.2 ps) intramolecular charge-transfer reaction in adsorbed NR molecules. For NR@Al-ITQ-EB, where the linker has a shorter aliphatic chain (two carbons), the dye molecules present a homoenergy-transfer (ET) process, which is faster (∼90 ps) than in the previously reported NR@Al-ITQ-4-heptylbenzoic acid composite with longer aliphatic chain (seven carbons, ∼220 ps). The more polar environment created by the Al-oxide nodes in Al-ITQ-EB surface around the NR populations strongly favors the ET event. When the linker structure contains phenyl amine moieties, the resulting NR@Al-ITQ-AB composites show different and rich photodynamics, in which a fast electron transfer reaction from the MOF aniline moiety to the adsorbed NR occurs in ∼17 ps, inhibiting the ET process between the dye molecules near the MOF surface. This process also was confirmed in Al-ITQ-EB MOF exposed to AN and DMA gas atmospheres, as well as NR in pure aniline. The obtained results demonstrate how modifications in the length and structure of the organic linker in this MOF change the interface interactions and outcome of the photoinduced processes in the composites. Our findings on dye-MOF interface photobehavior are relevant to the design of new materials in which the interface plays a key role in their performance in the fields of catalysis and photonics.