Single particle Raman spectroscopy analysis of the metal-organic framework DUT-8(Ni) switching transition under hydrostatic pressure

Application of DUT-4 MOF structure switching for optical and electrical humidity sensing

The threshold structural transformation of the DUT-4 metal-organic framework (MOF) from an ordered to distorted phase during exposure to ambient conditions has been revealed. The in situ X-ray diffraction analysis, in situ Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and synchronous thermal analysis have been used for investigation. The reversible effect of exposure time and humidity on such a phase transition has been confirmed. We also demonstrated that the observed phase transition correlated well with changes in the optical and electronic properties of DUT-4, paving the way to a new family of MOF-based phase change materials for optoelectronic applications.

Pressure-Induced Structural Effects in the Square Lattice () Topology Coordination Network Sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX

A high-pressure study of a switching coordination network of square lattice topology (sql) loaded with o-xylene (OX), [Co(4,4'-bipyridine)₂(NCS)₂] _n ·4nC₈H₁₀ (sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX), was conducted up to approximately 1 GPa to investigate pressure-induced structural changes. Previous reports revealed that sql-1-Co-NCS exhibits multiple phases thanks to its ability to switch between closed (nonporous) and several open (porous) phases in the presence of various gases, vapors, and liquids. Networks of such properties are of topical interest because they can offer high working capacity and improved recyclability for gas adsorption. The monoclinic crystal structure of sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX at 100 K was previously reported to show an increase in interlayer separation of more than 100% compared to the corresponding closed phase, sql-1-Co-NCS, when exposed to gases or vapors under ambient conditions. Herein, a tetragonal crystal form of sql-1-Co-NCS·4OX (space group I4/mmm, Phase I) that exists at 0.1 MPa/303 K is reported. Exposure of Phase I to high pressure using penetrable pressure transmitting media (OX and 1:1 vol MeOH/EtOH) did not result in further separation of the sql networks. Rather, compression of the crystals and release of adsorbed OX molecules occurred. These pressure-induced changes are discussed in terms of structural voids, framework conformation, and molecular packing of the sql layers. Although Phase I retained tetragonal symmetry throughout the investigated pressure range, the interlayer voids occupied by OX molecules were significantly reduced between 0.3 and 0.5 GPa; further compression above 0.5 GPa induced structural disorder. Additionally, analysis of the electron count present in the pores of sql-1-Co-NCS confirmed the multistep evacuation of OX molecules from the crystal, and two intermediate phases, Ia and Ib, differing in the OX loading level, are postulated.

Temperature Driven Transformation of the Flexible Metal-Organic Framework DUT-8(Ni)

DUT-8(Ni) metal-organic framework (MOF) belongs to the family of flexible pillared layer materials. The desolvated framework can be obtained in the open pore form (op) or in the closed pore form (cp), depending on the crystal size regime. In the present work, we report on the behaviour of desolvated DUT-8(Ni) at elevated temperatures. For both, op and cp variants, heating causes a structural transition, leading to a new, crystalline compound, containing two interpenetrated networks. The state of the framework before transition (op vs. cp) influences the transition temperature: the small particles of the op phase transform at significantly lower temperature in comparison to the macroparticles of the cp phase, transforming close to the decomposition temperature. The new compound, confined closed pore phase (ccp), was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, EXAFS, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Thermal effects of structural transitions were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), showing an overall exothermic effect of the process, involving bond breaking and reformation. Theoretical calculations reveal the energetics, driving the observed temperature induced phase transition.

Structural phase transitions in flexible DUT-8(Ni) under high hydrostatic pressure

The behaviours of the open pore (op) and closed pore (cp) phases of the flexible Ni₂(ndc)₂(dabco) (ndc - 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate, dabco - 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, DUT-8(Ni)) metal-organic framework under high hydrostatic pressures up to 10 GPa in isopropanol and silicone oil were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Ab initio simulations of vibrational spectra were performed for the open and closed pore phases, which allowed us to disclose the characteristic vibrational modes affected by the structural transitions under pressure. Analysis of theoretical and experimental Raman data suggests that the op-cp transition involves gateway vibrations at 25 and 67 cm^-1, corresponding to trampoline/rotational motions of aromatic linkers. The experiments reveal the formation of new distorted cp phases at pressures higher than 2 GPa, which are formed without amorphisation. The transition between the cp phase and the distorted cp phase is reversible. The experiments also reveal the pivotal role of the pressure transmitting medium on the phase transition behaviour.

Large-Scale Molecular Dynamics Simulations Reveal New Insights Into the Phase Transition Mechanisms in MIL-53(Al)

Soft porous crystals have the ability to undergo large structural transformations upon exposure to external stimuli while maintaining their long-range structural order, and the size of the crystal plays an important role in this flexible behavior. Computational modeling has the potential to unravel mechanistic details of these phase transitions, provided that the models are representative for experimental crystal sizes and allow for spatially disordered phenomena to occur. Here, we take a major step forward and enable simulations of metal-organic frameworks containing more than a million atoms. This is achieved by exploiting the massive parallelism of state-of-the-art GPUs using the OpenMM software package, for which we developed a new pressure control algorithm that allows for fully anisotropic unit cell fluctuations. As a proof of concept, we study the transition mechanism in MIL-53(Al) under various external pressures. In the lower pressure regime, a layer-by-layer mechanism is observed, while at higher pressures, the transition is initiated at discrete nucleation points and temporarily induces various domains in both the open and closed pore phases. The presented workflow opens the possibility to deduce transition mechanism diagrams for soft porous crystals in terms of the crystal size and the strength of the external stimulus.

Impact of Crystal Size and Morphology on Switchability Characteristics in Pillared-Layer Metal-Organic Framework DUT-8(Ni)

Variation of the crystallite size in flexible porous coordination polymers can significantly influence or even drastically change the flexibility characteristics. The impact of crystal morphology, however, on the dynamic properties of flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is poorly investigated so far. In the present work, we systematically modulated the particle size of a model gate pressure MOF (DUT-8(Ni), Ni2(2,6-ndc)2(dabco), 2,6-ndc-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dabco-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) and investigated the influence of the aspect ratio, length, and width of anisotropically shaped crystals on the gate opening characteristics. DUT-8 is a member of the pillared-layer MOF family, showing reversible structural transition, i.e., upon nitrogen physisorption at 77 K. The framework crystalizes as rod-like shaped crystals in conventional synthesis. To understand which particular crystal surfaces dominate the phenomena observed, crystals similar in size and differing in morphology were involved in a systematic study. The analysis of the data shows that the width of the rods (corresponding to the crystallographic directions along the layer) represents a critical parameter governing the dynamic properties upon adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K. This observation is related to the anisotropy of the channel-like pore system and the nucleation mechanism of the solid-solid phase transition triggered by gas adsorption.