Reversible stimulus-responsive coordination polymers mainly involving conversion between the lone-pair–π and cation–π interactions

Atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics as vectors of primary air pollutants - A theoretical study on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) case

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitously present in the atmosphere as atmospheric and airborne forms (PET-aMPs). Using first-principles calculations, we analyze the uptake of primary air pollutants onto PET-aMPs, focusing on their stabilities, adsorption mechanisms, and thermochemistry. The results show that PET-aMPs are selective for the spontaneous adsorption of CO, CO₂, NO, N₂O, NO₂, NH_3, and SO₂, reaching stable adsorption energies of 6-20 kcal/mol per molecule, with comparable uptake ability than carbon-based materials, metals/metalloids, and metal oxide surfaces. Then, PET-aMPs become a vector for coexisting air pollutants in the atmosphere, which adsorb by inner or outer adsorption depending on the molecular polarity (dipole moment) and atomic constitution (electronegativity) of gaseous molecules. Also, atmospheric H₂O and O₂ are not competitive molecules, and ozone could enhance adsorption due to surface oxidation and structure breakdown. The interplay of electrostatic (46-61%) and dispersion forces (21-58%) drives the adsorption mechanism, where low-polar pollutants display almost a balanced electrostatic vs. dispersion contribution, while high polar molecules display a higher electrostatic stabilization. The outer adsorption is reached by strong dispersion, hydrogen bonding, and dipole-dipole-induced pairs, while lone-pair-π interactions appear in the inner adsorption regime. These results expand the understanding of the hazards and risks of atmospheric and airborne microplastics/nanoplastics, their impacts, co-transport ability, and interaction with the environment.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Stimuli-Responsive Polymers

Metal-organic framework (MOF) based stimuli-responsive polymers (coordination polymers) exhibit reversible phase-transition behavior and demonstrate attractive properties that are capable of altering physical and/or chemical properties upon exposure to external stimuli, including pH, temperature, ions, etc., in a dynamic fashion. Thus, their conformational change can be imitated by the adsorption/desorption of target analytes (guest molecules), temperature or pressure changes, and electromagnetic field manipulation. MOF-based stimuli responsive polymers have received great attention due to their advanced optical properties and variety of applications. Herein, we summarized some recent progress on MOF-based stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) classified by physical and chemical responsiveness, including temperature, pressure, electricity, pH, metal ions, gases, alcohol and multi-targets.

Polytorsional-amide/carboxylates-directed Cd(ii) coordination polymers exhibiting multi-functional sensing behaviors

By rational assembly of polytorsional-amide [N,N′-bis(4-methylenepyridin-4-yl)-1,4-naphthalene dicarboxamide (L)] and polytorsional-carboxylates [H₂ADI = adipic acid, H₂PIM = pimelic acid, H₂SUB = suberic acid], three new Cd-based coordination polymers (CPs) C₃₀H₃₀CdN₄O₇ (1), C₃₁H₃₂CdN₄O₇ (2) and C_31.03H_30.55CdCl_0.24N₄O_5.52 (3) were successfully synthesized. CPs 1–2 and 3 are 2D networks and a 3D framework, which all display 3,5-connected topologies with different structural details. The effects of carboxylates with different carbon chains on the structure of the complexes were studied. Fluorescence experiments show that CPs 1–3 have good multi-functional sensing ability for metal cations (Fe³⁺), anions (MnO₄⁻, CrO₄²⁻, Cr₂O₇²⁻) and organochlorine pesticides (2,6-dichloro-4-nitroamine) with good anti-interference and recyclable characteristics. The possible sensing mechanism is also investigated in detail.

Three (3,5)-connected Cd(ii) coordination polymers induced by polytorsional-amide/carboxylates exhibiting controllable multifunctional fluorescent sensing activities.

1D ladder and 2D bilayer coordination polymers constructed from a new T-shaped ligand: luminescence, magnetic and CO2 gas adsorption properties

1D ladder and 2D bilayer coordination polymers are constructed by using a new T-shaped ligand, in which the 2D bilayer exhibits CO₂ gas adsorption features.