Significance of Plastic Recycling with the Focus on Polyesters - Creating a Circular Economy

Plastics materials are essential in every part of our lives, resulting in their increasing production and consumption. Consequently, recycling of plastics has been of great importance in the last decades. Among all types of plastics, polyesters have become very appealing for numerous kinds of applications, making their recycling crucial. Several techniques have been developed for the recycling of plastics with the aim of eliminating the waste accumulated, as well as to create a circular economy.

Highly selective CO2 photoreduction to CO on MOF-derived TiO2

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-derived TiO2, synthesised through the calcination of MIL-125-NH2, is investigated for its potential as a CO2 photoreduction catalyst. The effect of the reaction parameters: irradiance, temperature and partial pressure of water was investigated. Using a two-level design of experiments, we were able to evaluate the influence of each parameter and their potential interactions on the reaction products, specifically the production of CO and CH4. It was found that, for the explored range, the only statistically significant parameter is temperature, with an increase in temperature being correlated to enhanced production of both CO and CH4. Over the range of experimental settings explored, the MOF-derived TiO2 displays high selectivity towards CO (98%), with only a small amount of CH4 (2%) being produced. This is notable when compared to other state-of-the-art TiO2 based CO2 photoreduction catalysts, which often showcase lower selectivity. The MOF-derived TiO2 was found to have a peak production rate of 8.9 × 10-4 μmol cm-2 h-1 (2.6 μmol g-1 h-1) and 2.6 × 10-5 μmol cm-2 h-1 (0.10 μmol g-1 h-1) for CO and CH4, respectively. A comparison is made to commercial TiO2, P25 (Degussa), which was shown to have a similar activity towards CO production, 3.4 × 10-3 μmol cm-2 h-1 (5.9 μmol g-1 h-1), but a lower selectivity preference for CO (3 : 1 CH4 : CO) than the MOF-derived TiO2 material developed here. This paper showcases the potential for MIL-125-NH2 derived TiO2 to be further developed as a highly selective CO2 photoreduction catalyst for CO production.

Using genetic algorithms to systematically improve the synthesis conditions of Al-PMOF

The synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is often complex and the desired structure is not always obtained. In this work, we report a methodology that uses a joint machine learning and experimental approach to optimize the synthesis conditions of Al-PMOF (Al₂(OH)₂TCPP) [H₂TCPP = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine], a promising material for carbon capture applications. Al-PMOF was previously synthesized using a hydrothermal reaction, which gave a low throughput yield due to its relatively long reaction time (16 hours). Here, we use a genetic algorithm to carry out a systematic search for the optimal synthesis conditions and a microwave-based high-throughput robotic platform for the syntheses. We show that, in just two generations, we could obtain excellent crystallinity and yield close to 80% in a much shorter reaction time (50 minutes). Moreover, by analyzing the failed and partially successful experiments, we could identify the most important experimental variables that determine the crystallinity and yield.

Characterization of Chemisorbed Species and Active Adsorption Sites in Mg-Al Mixed Metal Oxides for High-Temperature CO2 Capture

Mg-Al mixed metal oxides (MMOs), derived from the decomposition of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), have been purposed as adsorbents for CO₂ capture of industrial plant emissions. To aid in the design and optimization of these materials for CO₂ capture at 200 °C, we have used a combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) and density functional theory (DFT) to characterize the CO₂ gas sorption products and determine the various sorption sites in Mg-Al MMOs. A comparison of the DFT cluster calculations with the observed ¹³C chemical shifts of the chemisorbed products indicates that mono- and bidentate carbonates are formed at the Mg-O sites with adjacent Al substitution of an Mg atom, while the bicarbonates are formed at Mg-OH sites without adjacent Al substitution. Quantitative ¹³C NMR shows an increase in the relative amount of strongly basic sites, where the monodentate carbonate product is formed, with increasing Al/Mg molar ratios in the MMOs. This detailed understanding of the various basic Mg-O sites presented in MMOs and the formation of the carbonate, bidentate carbonate, and bicarbonate chemisorbed species yields new insights into the mechanism of CO₂ adsorption at 200 °C, which can further aid in the design and capture capacity optimization of the materials.

Toward Optimal Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Water Using Pyrene-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER) from water. To find the optimal MOF for a photocatalytic HER, one has to consider many different factors. For example, studies have emphasized the importance of light absorption capability, optical band gap, and band alignment. However, most of these studies have been carried out on very different materials. In this work, we present a combined experimental and computation study of the photocatalytic HER performance of a set of isostructural pyrene-based MOFs (M-TBAPy, where M = Sc, Al, Ti, and In). We systematically studied the effects of changing the metal in the node on the different factors that contribute to the HER rate (e.g., optical properties, the band structure, and water adsorption). In addition, for Sc-TBAPy, we also studied the effect of changes in the crystal morphology on the photocatalytic HER rate. We used this understanding to improve the photocatalytic HER efficiency of Sc-TBAPy, to exceed the one reported for Ti-TBAPy, in the presence of a co-catalyst.

Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production through MOF/MOF Heterojunctions

A strategy for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of MOF-based systems (MOF: metal-organic framework) is developed through the construction of MOF/MOF heterojunctions. The combination of MIL-167 with MIL-125-NH₂ leads to the formation of MIL-167/MIL-125-NH₂ heterojunctions with improved optoelectronic properties and efficient charge separation. MIL-167/MIL-125-NH₂ outperforms its single components MIL-167 and MIL-125-NH₂, in terms of photocatalytic H₂ production (455 versus 0.8 and 51.2 μmol h^-1 g^-1, respectively), under visible-light irradiation, without the use of any cocatalysts. This is attributed to the appropriate band alignment of these MOFs, the enhanced visible-light absorption, and long charge separation within MIL-167/MIL-125-NH₂. Our findings contribute to the discovery of novel MOF-based photocatalytic systems that can harvest solar energy and exhibit high catalytic activities in the absence of cocatalysts.

Pyrene-based metal organic frameworks: from synthesis to applications

Pyrene is one of the most widely investigated aromatic hydrocarbons given to its unique optical and electronic properties. Hence, pyrene-based ligands have been attractive for the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the last few years. In this review, we will focus on the most important characteristics of pyrene, in addition to the development and synthesis of pyrene-based molecules as bridging ligands to be used in MOF structures. We will summarize the synthesis attempts, as well as the post-synthetic modifications of pyrene-based MOFs by the incorporation of metals or ligands in the structure. The discussion of promising results of such MOFs in several applications; including luminescence, photocatalysis, adsorption and separation, heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical applications and bio-medical applications will be highlighted. Finally, some insights and future prospects will be given based on the studies discussed in the review. This review will pave the way for the researchers in the field for the design and development of novel pyrene-based structures and their utilization for different applications.

Taking lanthanides out of isolation: tuning the optical properties of metal-organic frameworks

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are increasingly used in applications that rely on the optical and electronic properties of these materials. These applications require a fundamental understanding on how the structure of these materials, and in particular the electronic interactions of the metal node and organic linker, determines these properties. Herein, we report a combined experimental and computational study on two families of lanthanide-based MOFs: Ln-SION-1 and Ln-SION-2. Both comprise the same metal and ligand but with differing structural topologies. In the Ln-SION-2 series the optical absorption is dominated by the ligand and using different lanthanides has no impact on the absorption spectrum. The Ln-SION-1 series shows a completely different behavior in which the ligand and the metal node do interact electronically. By changing the lanthanide in Ln-SION-1, we were able to tune the optical absorption from the UV region to absorption that includes a large part of the visible region. For the early lanthanides we observe intraligand (electronic) transitions in the UV region, while for the late lanthanides a new band appears in the visible. DFT calculations showed that the new band in the visible originates in the spatial orbital overlap between the ligand and metal node. Our quantum calculations indicated that Ln-SION-1 with late lanthanides might be (photo)conductive. Experimentally, we confirm that these materials are weakly conductive and that with an appropriate co-catalysts they can generate hydrogen from a water solution using visible light. Our experimental and theoretical analysis provides fundamental insights for the rational design of Ln-MOFs with the desired optical and electronic properties.

Analyzing the Photo-oxidation of 2-propanol at Indoor Air Level Concentrations Using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry

We demonstrate a versatile protocol to be used for determining the effectiveness of photocatalysts in degrading indoor air concentration (ppb) volatile organic carbons (VOCs), illustrating this with a titanium dioxide based catalyst, and the VOC 2-propanol. The protocol takes advantage of field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy (FAIMS), an analysis tool that is capable of continuously identifying and monitoring the concentration of VOCs such as 2-propanol and acetone at the ppb level. The continuous nature of FAIMS allows detailed kinetic analysis, and long-term reactions, offering a significant advantage over gas chromatography, a batch process traditionally used in air purification characterization. The use of FAIMS in photocatalytic air purification has only recently been used for the first time, and with the protocol illustrated here, the flexibility in allowing alternative VOCs and photocatalysts to be tested using comparable protocols offers a unique system to elucidate photocatalytic air purification reactions at low concentrations.

Dimensionality transformation through paddlewheel reconfiguration in a flexible and porous Zn-based metal-organic framework

The reaction between Zn and a pyrene-based ligand decorated with benzoate fragments (H(4)TBAPy) yields a 2D layered porous network with the metal coordination based on a paddlewheel motif. Upon desolvation, the structure undergoes a significant and reversible structural adjustment with a corresponding reduction in crystallinity. The combination of computationally assisted structure determination and experimental data analysis of the desolvated phase revealed a structural change in the metal coordination geometry from square-pyramidal to tetrahedral. Simulations of desolvation showed that the local distortion of the ligand geometry followed by the rotation and displacement of the pyrene core permits the breakup of the metal-paddlewheel motifs and the formation of 1D Zn-O chains that cross-link adjacent layers, resulting in a dimensionality change from the 2D layered structure to a 3D structure. Constrained Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the desolvated phase and the use of other analytical techniques such as porosity measurements, (13)C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy strongly supported the observed structural transformation. The 3D network is stable up to 425 °C and is permanently porous to CO(2) with an apparent BET surface area of 523(8) m(2)/g (p/p° = 0.02-0.22). Because of the hydrophobic nature, size, and shape of the pores of the 3D framework, the adsorption behavior of the structure toward p-xylene and m-xylene was studied, and the results indicated that the shape of the isotherm and the kinetics of the adsorption process are determined mainly by the shape of the xylene isomers, with each xylene isomer interacting with the host framework in a different manner.

Visible light photo-oxidation of model pollutants using CaCu3Ti4O12: an experimental and theoretical study of optical properties, electronic structure, and selectivity

Charge transfer between metal ions occupying distinct crystallographic sublattices in an ordered material is a strategy to confer visible light absorption on complex oxides to generate potentially catalytically active electron and hole charge carriers. CaCu3Ti4O12 has distinct octahedral Ti4+ and square planar Cu2+ sites and is thus a candidate material for this approach. The sol−gel synthesis of high surface area CaCu3Ti4O12 and investigation of its optical absorption and photocatalytic reactivity with model pollutants are reported. Two gaps of 2.21 and 1.39 eV are observed in the visible region. These absorptions are explained by LSDA+U electronic structure calculations, including electron correlation on the Cu sites, as arising from transitions from a Cu-hybridized O 2p-derived valence band to localized empty states on Cu (attributed to the isolation of CuO4 units within the structure of CaCu3Ti4O12) and to a Ti-based conduction band. The resulting charge carriers produce selective visible light photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol (monitored by mass spectrometry) by Pt-loaded CaCu3Ti4O12 which is attributed to the chemical nature of the photogenerated charge carriers and has a quantum yield comparable with commercial visible light photocatalysts.