Polymer Matrix Incorporated with ZIF-8 for Application in Nonlinear Optics

Exfoliation of 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks: toward Advanced Scalable Materials for Optical Sensing

Two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) occupy a special place among the large family of functional 2D materials. Even at a monolayer level, 2D MOFs exhibit unique sensing, separation, catalytic, electronic, and conductive properties due to the combination of porosity and organo-inorganic nature. However, lab-to-fab transfer for 2D MOF layers faces the challenge of their scalability, limited by weak interactions between the organic and inorganic building blocks. Here, comparing three top-down approaches to fabricate 2D MOF layers (sonication, freeze-thaw, and mechanical exfoliation), The technological criteria have established for creation of the layers of the thickness up to 1 nm with a record aspect ratio up to 2*10^4:1. The freezing-thaw and mechanical exfoliation are the most optimal approaches; wherein the rate and manufacturability of the mechanical exfoliation rivaling the greatest scalability of 2D MOF layers obtained by freezing-thaw (21300:1 vs 1330:1 aspect ratio), leaving the sonication approach behind (with a record 900:1 aspect ratio) have discovered. The high quality 2D MOF layers with a record aspect ratio demonstrate unique optical sensitivity to solvents of a varied polarity, which opens the way to fabricate scalable and freestanding 2D MOF-based atomically thin chemo-optical sensors by industry-oriented approach.

Metal-organic frameworks as photocatalysts in energetic and environmental applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an exciting new class of porous materials with great potential for photocatalytic applications in the environmental and energy sectors. MOFs provide significant advantages over more traditional materials when used as photocatalysts due to their high surface area, adaptable topologies, and functional ability. In this article, we summarize current developments in the use of MOFs as photocatalysts for a variety of applications, such as CO2 reduction, water splitting, pollutant degradation, and hydrogen production. We discuss the fundamental properties of MOFs that make them ideal for photocatalytic applications, as well as strategies for improving their performance. The opportunities and challenges presented by this rapidly expanding field are also highlighted.

Laser-Assisted Design of MOF-Derivative Platforms from Nano- to Centimeter Scales for Photonic and Catalytic Applications

Laser conversion of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has recently emerged as a fast and low-energy consumptive approach to create scalable MOF derivatives for catalysis, energy, and optics. However, due to the virtually unlimited MOF structures and tunable laser parameters, the results of their interaction are unpredictable and poorly controlled. Here, we experimentally base a general approach to create nano- to centimeter-scale MOF derivatives with the desired nonlinear optical and catalytic properties. Five three- and two-dimensional MOFs, differing in chemical composition, topology, and thermal resistance, have been selected as precursors. Tuning the laser parameters (i.e., pulse duration from fs to ns and repetition rate from kHz to MHz), we switch between ultrafast nonthermal destruction and thermal decomposition of MOFs. We have established that regardless of the chemical composition and MOF topology, the tuning of the laser parameters allows obtaining a series of structurally different derivatives, and the transition from femtosecond to nanosecond laser regimes ensures the scaling of the derivatives from nano- to centimeter scales. Herein, the thermal resistance of MOFs affects the structure and chemical composition of the resulting derivatives. Finally, we outline the "laser parameters versus MOF structure" space, in which one can create the desired and scalable platforms with nonlinear optical properties from photoluminescence to light control and enhanced catalytic activity.

Metal-mediated tunability of MOF-based optical modulators

We report on the design of 1D MOFs based on a nopinane-annelated organic ligand and Co(II) or Ni(II), the variation of which allows tuning the optical modulation bandwidth. Structural and time-resolved analysis revealed the optical modulation mechanism, the rates and its endurance, thereby enriching the list of sustainable MOFs for tunable optical modulators.