A Nanotubular Metal–Organic Framework with a Narrow Bandgap from Extended Conjugation**

A one-dimensional nanotubular metal–organic framework (MOF) [Ni(Cu-H₄TPPA)]⋅2 (CH₃)₂NH₂⁺ (H₈TPPA=5,10,15,20-tetrakis[p-phenylphosphonic acid] porphyrin) constructed by using the arylphosphonic acid H₈TPPA is reported. The structure of this MOF, known as GTUB-4 , was solved by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and its geometric accessible surface area was calculated to be 1102 m² g⁻¹, making it the phosphonate MOF with the highest reported surface area. Due to the extended conjugation of its porphyrin core, GTUB-4 possesses narrow indirect and direct bandgaps (1.9 eV and 2.16 eV, respectively) in the semiconductor regime. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that GTUB-4 is thermally stable up to 400 °C. Owing to its high surface area, low bandgap, and high thermal stability, GTUB-4 could find applications as electrodes in supercapacitors.     

A Chemiluminescent Metal–Organic Framework

The synthesis and characterization of a chemiluminescent metal–organic framework with high porosity is reported. It consists of Zr₆O₆(OH)₄ nodes connected by 4,4′-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)dibenzoate as the linker and luminophore. It shows the topology known for UiO-66 and is therefore denoted PAP-UiO. The MOF was not only obtained as bulk material but also as a thin film. Exposure of PAP-UiO as bulk or film to a mixture of bis-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium salicylate in a mixture of dimethyl and dibutyl phthalate evoked strong and long lasting chemiluminescence of the PAP-UiO crystals. Time dependent fluorescence spectroscopy on bulk PAP-UiO and, for comparison, on dimethyl 4,4′-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)dibenzoate provided evidence that the chemiluminescence originates from luminophores being part of the PAP-UiO, including the luminophores inside the crystals.     

Reversible Postsynthetic Modification in a Metal–Organic Framework

Postsynthetic modification (PSM) of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) provides access to functional materials and advanced porous solid engineering. Herein, we report the reversible PSM of a multivariate isoreticular MOF by applying dynamic furan-maleimide Diels–Alder (DA) chemistry. The key step involves incorporating a furan group into the MOF via “click” PSM, which can then undergo repeated cycles of modification and de-modification with maleimides. The structural integrity, crystallinity, and porosity of the furan-appended MOF remained intact even after three consecutive PSM/de-modification cycles using three different functionalized maleimides.     

A Titanium Metal–Organic Framework with Visible-Light-Responsive Photocatalytic Activity

The one-step synthesis and characterization of a new and robust titanium-based metal–organic framework, ACM-1 , is reported. In this structure, which is based on infinite Ti−O chains and 4,4′,4′′,4′′′-(pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrayl) tetrabenzoic acid as a photosensitizer ligand, the combination of highly mobile photogenerated electrons and a strong hole localization at the organic linker results in large charge-separation lifetimes. The suitable energies for band gap and conduction band minimum (CBM) offer great potential for a wide range of photocatalytic reactions, from hydrogen evolution to the selective oxidation of organic substrates.     

An Ultra-Microporous Metal–Organic Framework with Exceptional Xe Capacity

Molecular confinement plays a significant effect on trapped gas and solvent molecules. A fundamental understanding of gas adsorption within the porous confinement provides information necessary to design a material with improved selectivity. In this regard, metal–organic framework (MOF) adsorbents are ideal candidate materials to study confinement effects for weakly interacting gas molecules, such as noble gases. Among the noble gases, xenon (Xe) has practical applications in the medical, automotive and aerospace industries. In this Communication, we report an ultra-microporous nickel-isonicotinate MOF with exceptional Xe uptake and selectivity compared to all benchmark MOF and porous organic cage materials. The selectivity arises because of the near perfect fit of the atomic Xe inside the porous confinement. Notably, at low partial pressure, the Ni–MOF interacts very strongly with Xe compared to the closely related Krypton gas (Kr) and more polarizable CO₂. Further ¹²⁹Xe NMR suggests a broad isotropic chemical shift due to the reduced motion as a result of confinement.     

Incarceration of Iodine in a Pyrene-Based Metal–Organic Framework

A pyrene-based metal-organic framework (MOF) SION-8 captured iodine (I₂) vapor with a capacity of 460 and 250 mg g⁻¹_MOF at room temperature and 75 °C, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and van-der-Waals-corrected density functional theory calculations confirmed the presence of I₂ molecules within the pores of SION-8 and their interaction with the pyrene-based ligands. The I₂–pyrene interactions in the I₂-loaded SION-8 led to a 10⁴-fold increase of its electrical conductivity compared to the bare SION-8 . Upon adsorption, ≥95 % of I₂ molecules were incarcerated and could not be washed out, signifying the potential of SION-8 towards the permanent capture of radioactive I₂ at room temperature.     

Coordination-Induced Band Gap Reduction in a Metal–Organic Framework

Herein, we report on the synthesis of a microporous, three-dimensional phosphonate metal–organic framework (MOF) with the composition Cu₃(H₅-MTPPA)₂ ⋅ 2 NMP (H₈-MTPPA=methane tetra-p-phenylphosphonic acid and NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone). This MOF, termed TUB1, has a unique one-dimensional inorganic building unit composed of square planar and distorted trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms. It possesses a (calculated) BET surface area of 766.2 m²/g after removal of the solvents from the voids. The Tauc plot for TUB1 yields indirect and direct band gaps of 2.4 eV and 2.7 eV, respectively. DFT calculations reveal the existence of two spin-dependent gaps of 2.60 eV and 0.48 eV for the alpha and beta spins, respectively, with the lowest unoccupied crystal orbital for both gaps predominantly residing on the square planar copper atoms. The projected density of states suggests that the presence of the square planar copper atoms reduces the overall band gap of TUB1, as the beta-gap for the trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms is 3.72 eV.     

A Light-Responsive Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid Membrane with High On/Off Photoswitchable Proton Conductivity

Mimicking biological proton pumps to achieve stimuli-responsive protonic solids has long been of great interest for their diverse applications in fuel cells, chemical sensors, and bio-electronic devices. Now, dynamic light-responsive metal–organic framework hybrid membranes can be obtained by in situ encapsulation of photoactive molecules (sulfonated spiropyran, SSP), as the molecular valve, into the cavities of the host ZIF-8. The configuration of SSP can be changed and switched reversibly in response to light, generating different mobile acidic protons and thus high on/off photoswitchable proton conductivity in the hybrid membranes and device. This device exhibits a high proton conductivity, fast response time, and extremely large on/off ratio upon visible-light irradiation. This approach might provide a platform for creating emerging smart protonic solids with potential applications in the remote-controllable chemical sensors or proton-conducting field-effect transistors.     

Stabilizing DNAzymes through Encapsulation in a Metal–Organic Framework

DNAzymes are a promising class of bioinspired catalyst; however, their structural instability limits their potential. Herein, a method to stabilize DNAzymes by encapsulating them in a metal–organic framework (MOF) host is reported. This biomimetic mineralization process makes DNAzymes active under a wider range of conditions. The concept is demonstrated by encapsulating hemin-G-quadruplex (Hemin-G4) into zeolitic imidazolate framework-90 (ZIF-90), which indeed increases the DNAzyme's structural stability. The stabilized DNAzymes show activities in the presence of Exonuclease I, organic solvents, or high temperature. Owing to its elevated stability and heterogeneous nature, it is possible to perform catalysis under continuous-flow conditions, and the DNAzyme can be reactivated in situ by introducing K⁺. Moreover, it is found that the encapsulated DNAzyme maintains its high enantiomer selectivity, demonstrated by the sulfoxidation of thioanisole to (S)-methyl phenyl sulfoxide. This concept of stabilizing DNAzymes expands their potential application in chemical industry.     

Substrate-Bound Diarylethene-Based Anisotropic Metal–Organic Framework Films as Photoactuators with a Directed Response

Molecular machines and responsive materials open a plethora of new opportunities in nanotechnology. We present an oriented crystalline array of diarylethene (DAE)-based photoactuators, arranged in a way to yield an anisotropic response. The DAE units are assembled, together with a secondary linker, into a monolithic surface-mounted metal–organic framework (SURMOF) film. By Infrared (IR) and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, we show that the light-induced extension changes of the molecular DAE linkers multiply to yield mesoscopic and anisotropic length changes. Due to the special architecture and substrate-bonding of the SURMOF, these length changes are transferred to the macroscopic scale, leading to the bending of a cantilever and performing work. This research shows the potential of assembling light-powered molecules into SURMOFs to yield photoactuators with a directed response, presenting a path to advanced actuators.     

Ru-Doping Enhanced Electrocatalysis of Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets toward Overall Water Splitting

An Ru-doping strategy is reported to substantially improve both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalytic activity of Ni/Fe-based metal–organic framework (MOF) for overall water splitting. As-synthesized Ru-doped Ni/Fe MIL-53 MOF nanosheets grown on nickel foam (MIL-53(Ru-NiFe)@NF) afford HER and OER current density of 50 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 62 and 210 mV, respectively, in alkaline solution with a nominal Ru loading of ≈110 μg cm⁻². When using as both anodic and cathodic (pre-)catalyst, MIL-53(Ru-NiFe)@NF enables overall water splitting at a current density of 50 mA cm⁻² for a cell voltage of 1.6 V without iR compensation, which is much superior to state-of-the-art RuO₂-Pt/C-based electrolyzer. It is discovered that the Ru-doping considerably modulates the growth of MOF to form thin nanosheets, and enhances the intrinsic HER electrocatalytic activity by accelerating the sluggish Volmer step and improving the intermediate oxygen adsorption for increased OER catalytic activity.     

Evidence of a Uranium-Paddlewheel Node in a Catecholate-Based Metal–Organic Framework

The interactions between uranium and non-innocent organic species are an essential component of fundamental uranium redox chemistry. However, they have seldom been explored in the context of multidimensional, porous materials. Uranium-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a new angle to study these interactions, as these self-assembled species stabilize uranium species through immobilization by organic linkers within a crystalline framework, while potentially providing a method for adjusting metal oxidation state through coordination of non-innocent linkers. We report the synthesis of the MOF NU-1700 , assembled from U⁴⁺-paddlewheel nodes and catecholate-based linkers. We propose this highly unusual structure, which contains two U⁴⁺ ions in a paddlewheel built from four linkers—a first among uranium materials—as a result of extensive characterization via powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), sorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), in addition to density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Emergence of a Radical-Stabilizing Metal–Organic Framework as a Radio-photoluminescence Dosimeter

Radio-photoluminescence (RPL) materials display a distinct radiation-induced permanent luminescence center, and therefore find application in the detection of ionizing radiation. The current inventory of RPL materials, which were discovered by serendipity, has been limited to a small number of metal-ion-doped inorganic materials. Here we document the RPL of a metal–organic framework (MOF) for the first time: X-ray induced free radicals are accumulated on the organic linker and are subsequently stabilized in the conjugated fragment in the structure, while the metal center acts as the X-ray attenuator. These radicals afford new emission features in both UV-excited and X-ray excited luminescence spectra, making it possible to establish linear relationships between the radiation dose and the normalized intensity of the new emission feature. The MOF-based RPL materials exhibit advantages in terms of the dose detection range, reusability, emission stability, and energy threshold. Based on a comprehensive electronic structure and energy diagram study, the rational design and a substantial expansion of candidate RPL materials can be anticipated.     

Solvent-Driven Reversible Phase Transition of a Pillared Metal–Organic Framework

Over the last decade, the controllable reversible phase transition of functional materials has received growing interest as it shows unique suitability for various technological applications. Although many metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) possess a lamellar structure, the reversible structural transformation of MOFs between their three-dimensional (3D) phase and two-dimensional (2D) phase remains a largely unexplored area. Herein, we report for the first time a europium MOF with unprecedented reversible morphology in different solvents at room temperature. This europium MOF displayed a 3D nanorod morphology in organic solvent and a 2D nanobelt architecture in water. As a proof of concept for potential applications of this reversible-phase-transition MOF, we were able to use a delamination recovery method to load dye molecules that previously could not be loaded into europium MOFs.     

A Spiderweb-Like Metal–Organic Framework Multifunctional Foam

Processing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into hierarchical macroscopic materials can greatly extend their practical applications. However, current strategies suffer from severe aggregation of MOFs and limited tuning of the hierarchical porous network. Now, a strategy is presented that can simultaneously tune the MOF loading, composition, spatial distribution, and confinement within various bio-originated macroscopic supports, as well as control the accessibility, robustness, and formability of the support itself. This method enables the good dispersion of individual MOF nanoparticles on a spiderweb-like network within each macrovoid even at high loadings (up to 86 wt %), ensuring the foam pores are highly accessible for excellent adsorption and catalytic capacity. Additionally, this approach allows the direct pre-incorporation of other functional components into the framework. This strategy provides precise control over the properties of both the hierarchical support and MOF.     

Solvent-Vapor-Induced Reversible Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation of a Triphosphaazatriangulene-Based Metal–Organic Framework

A triphosphaazatriangulene (H₃L) was synthesized through an intramolecular triple phospha-Friedel–Crafts reaction. The H₃L triangulene contains three phosphinate groups and an extended π-conjugated framework, which enables the stimuli-responsive reversible transformation of [Cu(HL)(DMSO)⋅(MeOH)]_n, a 3D-MOF that exhibits reversible sorption characteristics, into (H₃L⋅0.5 [Cu₂(OH)₄⋅6 H₂O] ⋅4 H₂O), a 1D-columnar assembled proton-conducting material. The hydrophilic nature of the latter resulted in a proton conductivity of 5.5×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 95 % relative humidity and 60 °C.     

Rapid,Selective Extraction of Silver from Complex Water Matrices with a Metal–Organic Framework/Oligomer Composite Constructed via Supercritical CO2

Every year vast quantities of silver are lost in various waste streams; this, combined with its limited, diminishing supply and rising demand, makes silver recovery of increasing importance. Thus, herein, we report a controllable, green process to produce a host of highly porous metal–organic framework (MOF)/oligomer composites using supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) as a medium. One resulting composite, referred to as MIL-127/Poly-o-phenylenediamine (PoPD), has an excellent Ag⁺ adsorption capacity, removal efficiency (>99 %) and provides rapid Ag⁺ extraction in as little as 5 min from complex liquid matrices. Notably, the composite can also reduce sliver concentrations below the levels (<0.1 ppm) established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Using theoretical simulations, we find that there are spatially ordered polymeric units inside the MOF that promote the complexation of Ag⁺ over other common competing ions. Moreover, the oligomer is able to reduce silver to its metallic state, also providing antibacterial properties.     

Metal–Organic Framework Disintegrants: Enzyme Preparation Platforms with Boosted Activity

An enzyme formulation using customized enzyme activators (metal ions) to directly construct metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as enzyme protective carriers is presented. These MOF carriers can also serve as the disintegrating agents to simultaneously release enzymes and their activators during biocatalysis with boosted activities. This highly efficient enzyme preparation combines enzyme immobilization (enhanced stability, easy operation) and homogeneous biocatalysis (fast diffusion, high activity). The MOF serves as an ion pump that continuously provides metal ion activators that greatly promote the enzymatic activities (up to 251 %). This MOF–enzyme composite demonstrated an excellent protective effect against various perturbation environments. A mechanistic investigation revealed that the spontaneous activator/enzyme release and ion pumping enable enzymes to sufficiently interact with their activators owing to the proximity effects, leading to a boost in biocatalytic performance.     

Catalytically Active Hollow Fiber Membranes with Enzyme-Embedded Metal–Organic Framework Coating

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are suitable enzyme immobilization matrices. Reported here is the in situ biomineralization of glucose oxidase (GOD) into MOF crystals (ZIF-8) by interfacial crystallization. This method is effective for the selective coating of porous polyethersulfone microfiltration hollow fibers on the shell side in a straightforward one-step process. MOF layers with a thickness of 8 μm were synthesized, and fluorescence microscopy and a colorimetric protein assay revealed the successful inclusion of GOD into the ZIF-8 layer with an enzyme concentration of 29±3 μg cm⁻². Enzymatic activity tests revealed that 50 % of the enzyme activity is preserved. Continuous enzymatic reactions, by the permeation of β-d -glucose through the GOD@ZIF-8 membranes, showed a 50 % increased activity compared to batch experiments, emphasizing the importance of the convective transport of educts and products to and from the enzymatic active centers.     

Metal–Organic Framework Crystal–Glass Composite Membranes with Preferential Permeation of Ethane

Metal–organic framework (MOF) glass is an easy to process and self-supported amorphous material that is suitable for fabricating gas separation membranes. However, MOF glasses, such as ZIF-62 and ZIF-4 have low porosity, which makes it difficult to obtain membranes with high permeance. Here, a self-supported MOF crystal–glass composite (CGC) membrane was prepared by melt quenching a mixture of ZIF-62 as the membrane matrix and ZIF-8 as the filler. The conversion of ZIF-62 from crystal to glass and the simultaneous partial melting of ZIF-8 facilitated by the melt state of ZIF-62 make the CGC membrane monolithic, eliminating non-selective grain boundaries and improving selectivity. The thickness of CGC membrane can be adjusted to fabricate a membrane without the need of a support substrate. CGC membranes exhibit a C₂H₆ permeance of 41 569 gas permeation units (GPU) and a C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivity of 7.16. The CGC membrane has abundant pores from the glassy state of ZIF-62 and the crystalline ZIF-8, which enables high gas permeance. ZIF-8 has preferential adsorption for C₂H₆ and promotes C₂H₆ transport in the membrane, and thus the GCG membrane exhibits ultrahigh C₂H₆ permeance and good C₂H₆/C₂H₄ selectivity.