Precise Control of Molecular Self-Diffusion in Isoreticular and Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks

Understanding the factors that affect self-diffusion in isoreticular and multivariate (MTV) MOFs is key to their application in drug delivery, separations, and heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we measure the apparent self-diffusion of solvents saturated within the pores of large single crystals of MOF-5, IRMOF-3 (amino-functionalized MOF-5), and 17 MTV-MOF-5/IRMOF-3 materials at various mole fractions. We find that the apparent self-diffusion coefficient of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) may be tuned linearly between the diffusion coefficients of MOF-5 and IRMOF-3 as a function of the linker mole fraction. We compare a series of solvents at saturation in MOF-5 and IRMOF-3 to elucidate the mechanism by which the linker amino groups tune molecular diffusion. The ratio of the self-diffusion coefficients for solvents in MOF-5 to those in IRMOF-3 is similar across all solvents tested, regardless of solvent polarity. We conclude that average pore aperture, not solvent-linker chemical interactions, is the primary factor responsible for the different diffusion dynamics upon introduction of an amino group to the linker.     

Molecular screening of metal-organic frameworks for CO2 storage

We report a molecular simulation study for CO2 storage in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). As compared to the aluminum-free and cation-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolites and carbon nanotube bundle, IRMOF1 exhibits remarkably higher capacity. Incorporation of Na(+) cations into zeolite increases the capacity only at low pressures. By variation of the metal oxide, organic linker, functional group, and framework topology, a series of isoreticular MOFs (IRMOF1, Mg-IRMOF1, Be-IRMOF1, IRMOF1-(NH2)4, IRMOF10, IRMOF13, and IRMOF14) are systematically examined, as well as UMCM-1, a fluorous MOF (F-MOF1), and a covalent-organic framework (COF102). The affinity with CO2 is enhanced by addition of a functional group, and the constricted pore is formed by interpenetration of the framework; both lead to a larger isosteric heat and Henry's constant and subsequently a stronger adsorption at low pressures. The organic linker plays a critical role in tuning the free volume and accessible surface area and largely determines CO2 adsorption at high pressures. As a combination of high capacity and low framework density, IRMOF10, IRMOF14, and UMCM-1 are identified from this study to be the best for CO2 storage, even surpass the experimentally reported highest capacity in MOF-177. COF102 is a promising candidate with high capacity at considerably low pressures. Both gravimetric and volumetric capacities at 30 bar correlate well with the framework density, free volume, porosity, and accessible surface area. These structure-function correlations are useful for a priori prediction of CO2 capacity and for the rational screening of MOFs toward high-efficacy CO2 storage.     

Functionality proportion and corresponding stability study of multivariate metal-organic frameworks

Zn-based multivariate metal-organic frameworks (MTV-MOFs) with different functionality proportions and with different thermal and chemical stabilities can be obtained by employing the appropriate synthesis method.     

金属离子调控IRMOF3-sal的发光性质

通过后合成修饰将水杨醛(Salicylaldehyde, sal)锚装在金属-有机框架化合物IRMOF-3上, 捕获不同金属离子得到系列化合物IRMOF3-M_sal(M=Mg, Zn, Co, Cd, Ni, Eu, Nd, Pr, Tb); 采用红外光谱、元素分析和X射线粉末衍射对其进行表征, 并对其荧光性质进行了对比研究. 结果表明, IRMOF3-M_sal的荧光峰均发生较大蓝移且IRMOF3-Mg_sal的荧光强度最大.     

Significantly enhanced hydrogen storage in metal-organic frameworks via spillover

The utilization of hydrogen in fuel-cell powered vehicles is limited by the lack of a safe and effective system for hydrogen storage. At the present time, there is no viable storage technology capable of meeting the DOE targets. Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel and potential candidates for hydrogen storage. Until now it is still not possible to achieve any significant hydrogen storage capacity in MOFs at ambient temperature. Here, we report, for the first time, significant amounts of hydrogen storage in MOF-5 and IRMOF-8 at ambient temperature by using a very simple technique via hydrogen dissociation and spillover. Thus, hydrogen uptakes for MOF-5 and IRMOF-8 can be enhanced by a factor of 3.3 and 3.1, respectively (to nearly 2 wt % at 10 MPa and 298 K). Furthermore, the isotherms are totally reversible. These findings suggest that our technique is suitable for hydrogen storage in a variety of MOF materials because of their similar structures as MOF-5 and IRMOF-8.     

Synthesis of Chiral MOF-74 Frameworks by Post-Synthetic Modification by Using an Amino Acid

The synthesis of chiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly relevant for asymmetric heterogenous catalysis, yet very challenging. Chiral MOFs with MOF-74 topology were synthesised by using post-synthetic modification with proline. Vibrational circular dichroism studies demonstrate that proline is the source of chirality. The solvents used in the synthesis play a key role in tuning the loading of proline and its interaction with the MOF-74 framework. In N,N′-dimethylformamide, proline coordinates monodentate to the Zn²⁺ ions within the MOF-74 framework, whereas it is only weakly bound to the framework when using methanol as solvent. Introducing chirality within the MOF-74 framework also leads to the formation of defects, with both the organic linker and metal ions missing from the framework. The formation of defects combined with the coordination of DMF and proline within the framework leads to a pore blocking effect. This is confirmed by adsorption studies and testing of the chiral MOFs in the asymmetric aldol reaction between acetone and para-nitrobenzaldehyde.     

The interaction of water with MOF-5 simulated by molecular dynamics

Force field parameters for use with metal-organic framework-5 (MOF-5 or IRMOF-1) are presented. Flexibility within the framework is included in this model, so that structural changes upon interaction with adsorbate molecules can be observed and quantified. The model was validated by comparing simulated lattice parameters of pure MOF-5 with X-ray diffraction results. For the first time, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed that show how water interacts with MOF-5. The framework is stable at water contents up to 2.3% by mass, but distortion in the lattice structure is already evident. At water contents of 3.9% and higher, the framework collapses because of the replacement of MOF O atoms by water O atoms in the Zn coordination shells. As a result, inorganic MOF O atoms are no longer coordinated by four Zn ions, and benzene dicarboxylate linkers are no longer tethered to Zn centers.     

金属-有机骨架材料MOF-5的改进与吸附甲烷的巨正则蒙特卡罗模拟

根据金属-有机骨架材料(MOFs)的设计思想, 在MOF-5(对苯二甲酸为桥联配体, Zn4O金属簇为中心的配位化合物)的基础上设计了10 种以Zn4O 金属簇为中心(Corner), 以不同基团单取代的对苯二甲酸(BDC)衍生物为桥联配体(Linker)的多孔材料. 用巨正则蒙特卡罗(GCMC)模拟方法, 计算了这些材料在298 K、1-10 MPa条件下对甲烷的吸附量, 讨论了不同取代基与甲烷吸附量的关系.结果发现, 在298 K、3.5 MPa 时甲烷的吸附量主要取决于吸附热, 并且以硝基取代的配体构成的MOF分子吸附甲烷效果最好. 在此基础上, 进一步设计了以四硝基取代对苯二甲酸为桥联配体的MOF-4NO2, 该结构在相同条件下对甲烷的超额吸附量为209 cm3·cm-3, 总吸附量达到228 cm3·cm-3, 比美国能源部(DOE)提出的甲烷吸附材料应用要求标准高26%.     

Tuning the Properties of MOF-808 via Defect Engineering and Metal Nanoparticle Encapsulation

Defect engineering and metal encapsulation are considered as valuable approaches to fine-tune the reactivity of metal–organic frameworks. In this work, various MOF-808 (Zr) samples are synthesized and characterized with the final aim to understand how defects and/or platinum nanoparticle encapsulation act on the intrinsic and reactive properties of these MOFs. The reactivity of the pristine, defective and Pt encapsulated MOF-808 is quantified with water adsorption and CO₂ adsorption calorimetry. The results reveal strong competitive effects between crystal morphology and missing linker defects which in turn affect the crystal morphology, porosity, stability, and reactivity. In spite of leading to a loss in porosity, the introduction of defects (missing linkers or Pt nanoparticles) is beneficial to the stability of the MOF-808 towards water and could also be advantageously used to tune adsorption properties of this MOF family.     

Effects of functionalization, catenation, and variation of the metal oxide and organic linking units on the low-pressure hydrogen adsorption properties of metal-organic frameworks

The dihydrogen adsorption isotherms of eight metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), measured at 77 K up to a pressure of 1 atm, have been examined for correlations with their structural features. All materials display approximately Type I isotherms with no hysteresis, and saturation was not reached for any of the materials under these conditions. Among the six isoreticular MOFs (IRMOFs) studied, the catenated materials exhibit the largest capacities on a molar basis, up to 9.8 H(2) per formula unit. The addition of functional groups (-Br, -NH(2), -C(2)H(4)-) to the phenylene links of IRMOF-1 (MOF-5), or their replacement with thieno[3,2-b]thiophene moieties in IRMOF-20, altered the adsorption behavior by a minor amount despite large variations in the pore volumes of the resulting materials. In contrast, replacement of the metal oxide units with those containing coordinatively unsaturated metal sites resulted in greater H(2) uptake. The enhanced affinities of these materials, MOF-74 and HKUST-1, were further demonstrated by calculation of the isosteric heats of adsorption, which were larger across much of the range of coverage examined, compared to those of representative IRMOFs. The results suggest that under low-loading conditions, the H(2) adsorption behavior of MOFs can be improved by imparting larger charge gradients on the metal oxide units and adjusting the link metrics to constrict the pore dimensions; however, a large pore volume is still a prerequisite feature.     

Exceptional H2 saturation uptake in microporous metal-organic frameworks

Saturation H2 uptake in a series of microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been measured at 77 K. Saturation pressures vary between 25 and 80 bar across the series, with MOF-177 showing the highest uptake on a gravimetric basis (7.5 wt %) and IRMOF-20 showing the highest uptake on a volumetric basis at 34 g/L. These results demonstrate that maximum H2 storage capacity in MOFs correlates well to surface area, and that feasible volumetric uptakes can be realized even in highly porous materials.     

Theoretical investigations on the chemical bonding, electronic structure, and optical properties of the metal-organic framework MOF-5

The chemical bonding, electronic structure, and optical properties of metal-organic framework-5 (MOF-5) were systematically investigated using ab initio density functional calculations. The unit cell volume and atomic positions were optimized with the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional leading to a good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical equilibrium structural parameters. The calculated bulk modulus indicates that MOF-5 is a soft material. The estimated band gap from a density of state (DOS) calculation for MOF-5 is about 3.4 eV, indicating a nonmetallic character. As MOFs are considered as potential materials for photocatalysts, active components in hybrid solar cells, and electroluminescence cells, the optical properties of this material were investigated. The detailed analysis of chemical bonding in MOF-5 reveals the nature of the Zn-O, O-C, H-C, and C-C bonds, that is, Zn-O having mainly ionic interaction whereas O-C, H-C, and C-C exhibit mainly covalent interactions. The findings in this paper may contribute to a comprehensive understanding about this kind of material and shed insight into the synthesis and application of novel and stable MOFs.     

Gaseous species as reaction tracers in the solvothermal synthesis of the zinc oxide terephthalate MOF-5

Gaseous species emitted during the zinc oxide/zinc hydroxide 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate metal organic framework synthesis (MOF-5, MOF-69c) have been used to investigate the reaction scheme that leads to the framework creation. Changes of the gas-phase composition over time indicate that the decomposition of the solvent diethylformamide occurs at least via two competing reaction pathways that can be linked to the reaction's overall water and pH management. From isotope exchange experiments, we deduce that one of the decomposition pathways leads to the removal of water from the reaction mixture, which sets the conditions when the synthesis of an oxide-based (MOF-5) instead of an hydroxide-based MOF (MOF-69c) occurs. A quantitative account of most reactants and byproducts before and after the MOF-5/MOF-69c synthesis is presented. From the investigation of the reaction intermediates and byproducts, we derive a proposal of a basic reaction scheme for the standard synthesis zinc oxide carboxylate MOFs.     

MOF-5: enthalpy of formation and energy landscape of porous materials

The first experimental thermodynamic analysis of a metal-organic framework (MOF) has been performed. Measurement of the enthalpy of formation of MOF-5 from the dense components zinc oxide (ZnO), 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)BDC), and occluded N,N-diethylformamide (DEF) (if any) gave values of 78.64 ± 2.95 and 99.47 ± 3.62 kJ·[mol of Zn(4)O(BDC)(3)·xDEF](-1) for the as-made form and the desolvated structure, respectively. These as-made and desolvated enthalpies correspond to the values 19.66 ± 0.74 and 24.87 ± 0.94 kJ·(mol of Zn)(-1), respectively. The energetics of desolvated MOF-5 per mole of Zn falls in line with trends relating the enthalpy of inorganic porous materials (zeolites, zeotypes, and mesoporous materials) to molar volume. MOF-5 extends a plateauing trend first suggested by thermodynamic studies of mesoporous materials. This leveling off of the destabilization energetics as the void space swells suggests that additional void volume beyond a certain point may begin to act as a parameter "external" to the structure and not destabilize it further. This could help explain the rich landscape of large-volume MOFs and their ease of desolvation.     

多孔金属有机骨架材料储氢性能分子模拟

采用优化的DREIDING力场参数, 通过巨正则系综蒙特卡洛(GCMC)模拟方法对H₂在IRMOF-1、IRMOF-61和IRMOF-62共3种金属有机骨架(MOFs)材料中的吸附平衡性能进行了比较研究. 结果表明, 该力场能够在全压力范围内很好地复制H₂在IRMOF-62材料中的等温吸附曲线; 但对低压下H₂在IRMOF-61中的等温吸附曲线预测出现低估. 与IRMOF-1相比, 具有互穿骨架结构的IRMOF-61和IRMOF-62材料在常温下的储氢能力并无明显提高. 进一步比较77 K时100 kPa、3.0 MPa下H₂在上述MOFs材料中达到吸附平衡时的几率密度分布发现, H₂会优先吸附在Zn₄O骨架附近靠近苯环的位置;对具有互穿结构的MOFs材料而言,由于其孔腔尺寸缩小, 使得H₂优先吸附位区域零散化. 适当长度的有机配体形成的互穿骨架结构能增强与H₂分子之间的相互作用, 具备较高的储氢能力; 而有机配体尺寸过长则会增加骨架结构中H₂吸附死角, 对H₂的吸附能力反而出现下降.     

Interaction of Hydrogen with MOF-5

Hydrogen storage is among the most demanding challenges in the hydrogen-based energy cycle. One proposed strategy for hydrogen storage is based on physisorption on high surface area solids such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Within this class of materials, MOF-5 has been the first structure studied for hydrogen storage. The IR spectroscopy of adsorbed H2 performed at 15 K and ab initio calculations show that the adsorptive properties of this material are mainly due to dispersive interactions with the internal wall structure and to weak electrostatic forces associated with O13Zn4 clusters. Calculated and measured binding enthalpies are between 2.26 and 3.5 kJ/mol, in agreement with the H2 rotational barriers reported in the literature. A minority of binding sites with higher adsorption enthalpy (7.4 kJ/mol) is also observed. These species are probably associated with OH groups on the external surfaces present as termini of the microcrystals.     

IRMOF-1衍生介孔ZnO微球催化合成低聚聚碳酸酯二醇

IRMOF-1是一种最经典的IRMOF系列材料,通过直接在空气中不同温度下热处理IRMOF-1得到三种ZnO催化剂,并采用XRD、SEM、BET、CO_2-TPD等分析技术对所得样品的晶体结构、表观形貌、孔结构、表面碱性进行了表征。结果显示,ZnO为球状结构,是一种典型的介孔材料,BET比表面积和孔径分别为49.7~62.2 m2/g和2.18~2.92 nm。研究了ZnO微球在碳酸二苯酯(DPC)与新戊二醇(NPG)酯交换合成低聚碳酸酯二醇(PCDL)反应中的催化性能。结果表明,500℃下得到的ZnO微球在DPC与NPG酯交换反应中表现出良好的催化活性。     

Theoretical assessment of the elastic constants and hydrogen storage capacity of some metal-organic framework materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for applications such as separation, catalysis, and gas storage. A key indicator of their structural stability is the shear modulus. By density functional theory calculations in a 106-atom supercell, under the local density approximation, we find c(11)=29.2 GPa and c(12)=13.1 GPa for Zn-based MOF 5. However, we find c(44) of MOF-5 to be exceedingly small, only 1.4 GPa at T=0 K. The binding energy E(ads) of a single hydrogen molecule in MOF-5 is evaluated using the same setup. We find it to be -0.069 to -0.086 eVH(2) near the benzene linker and -0.106 to -0.160 eVH(2) near the Zn(4)O tetrahedra. Substitutions of chlorine and hydroxyl in the benzene linker have negligible effect on the physisorption energies. Pentacoordinated copper (and aluminum) in a framework structure similar to MOF-2 gives E(ads) approximately -0.291 eVH(2) (and -0.230 eVH(2)), and substitution of nitrogen in benzene (pyrazine) further enhances E(ads) near the organic linker to -0.16 eVH(2), according to density functional theory with local density approximation.     

Binding energies of hydrogen molecules to isoreticular metal-organic framework materials

Recently, several novel isoreticular metal-organic framework (IRMOF) structures have been fabricated and tested for hydrogen storage applications. To improve our understanding of these materials, and to promote quantitative calculations and simulations, the binding energies of hydrogen molecules to the MOF have been studied. High-quality second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) calculations using the resolution of the identity approximation and the quadruple zeta QZVPP basis set were used. These calculations use terminated molecular fragments from the MOF materials. For H2 on the zinc oxide corners, the MP2 binding energy using Zn4O(HCO2)6 molecule is 6.28 kJ/mol. For H2 on the linkers, the binding energy is calculated using lithium-terminated molecular fragments. The MP2 results with coupled-cluster singles and doubles and noniterative triples method corrections and charge-transfer corrections are 4.16 kJ/mol for IRMOF-1, 4.72 kJ/mol for IRMOF-3, 4.86 kJ/mol for IRMOF-6, 4.54 kJ/mol for IRMOF-8, 5.50 and 4.90 kJ/mol for IRMOF-12, 4.87 and 4.84 kJ/mol for IRMOF-14, 5.42 kJ/mol for IRMOF-18, and 4.97 and 4.66 kJ/mol for IRMOF-993. The larger linkers are all able to bind multiple hydrogen molecules per side. The linkers of IRMOF-12, IRMOF-993, and IRMOF-14 can bind two to three, three, and four hydrogen molecules per side, respectively. In general, the larger linkers have the largest binding energies, and, together with the enhanced surface area available for binding, will provide increased hydrogen storage. We also find that adding up NH2 or CH3 groups to each linker can provide up to a 33% increase in the binding energy.     

Ab initio parametrized MM3 force field for the metal-organic framework MOF-5

A new valence force field has been developed and validated for a particular class of coordination polymers known as nanoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), introduced recently by the group of Yaghi. The experimental, structural, and spectroscopic data in combination with density functional theory calculations on several model systems were used to parametrize the bonded terms of the force field, which explicitly treats the metal-oxygen interactions as partially covalent as well as distinguishes different types of oxygens in the framework. Both the experimental crystal structure of MOF-5 and vibrational infrared spectrum are reproduced reasonably well. The proposed force field is believed to be useful in atomistic simulations of adsorption/diffusion of guest molecules inside the flexible pores of this important class of MOF materials.