Engineering Metal–Organic Frameworks for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2: A Minireview

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ holds great promise for lowering the concentration of CO₂ in the Earth′s atmosphere. However, several challenges have hindered the commercialization of this technology, including energy efficiency, the solubility of CO₂ in the aqueous phase, and electrode stability. In this Minireview, we highlight and summarize the main advantages and limitations that metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) may offer in this field of research, either when used directly as electrocatalysts or when used as catalyst precursors.     

Metal–Covalent Organic Frameworks (MCOFs): A Bridge Between Metal–Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks

Many sophisticated chemical and physical properties of porous materials strongly rely on the presence of the metal ions within the structures. Whereas homogeneous distribution of metals is conveniently realized in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the limited stability potentially restricts their practical implementation. From that perspective, the development of metal–covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs) may address these shortcomings by incorporating active metal species atop highly stable COF backbones. This Minireview highlights examples of MCOFs that tackle important issues from their design, synthesis, characterization to cutting‐edge applications.     

Hierarchical Mesoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced CO2 Capture

Hierarchical porous materials are promising for catalyst, separation and sorption applications. A ligand‐assisted etching process is developed for template‐free synthesis of hierarchical mesoporous MOFs as single crystals and well‐intergrown membranes at 40 °C. At 223 K, the hierarchical porous structures significantly improve the CO₂ capture capacity of HKUST‐1 by more than 44 % at pressures up to 20 kPa and 13 % at 100 kPa. Even at 323 K, the enhancement of CO₂ uptake is above 25 % at pressures up to 20 kPa and 7 % at 100 kPa. The mesoporous structures not only enhance the CO₂ uptake capacity but also improve the diffusion and mass transportation of CO₂. Similarly, well‐intergrown mesoporous HKUST‐1 membranes are synthesized, which hold the potential for film‐like porous devices. Mesoporous MOF‐5 crystals are also obtained by a similar ligand‐assisted etching process. This may provide a facile way to prepare hierarchical porous MOF single crystals and membranes for wide‐ranging applications.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Storage

We present a systematic study of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the storage of oxygen. The study starts with grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations on a suite of 10 000 MOFs for the adsorption of oxygen. From these data, the MOFs were down selected to the prime candidates of HKUST‐1 (Cu‐BTC) and NU‐125, both with coordinatively unsaturated Cu sites. Oxygen isotherms up to 30 bar were measured at multiple temperatures to determine the isosteric heat of adsorption for oxygen on each MOF by fitting to a Toth isotherm model. High pressure (up to 140 bar) oxygen isotherms were measured for HKUST‐1 and NU‐125 to determine the working capacity of each MOF. Compared to the zeolite NaX and Norit activated carbon, NU‐125 has an increased excess capacity for oxygen of 237 % and 98 %, respectively. These materials could ultimately prove useful for oxygen storage in medical, military, and aerospace applications.     

Switching in Metal–Organic Frameworks

In recent years, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have become an area of intense research interest because of their adjustable pores and nearly limitless structural diversity deriving from the design of different organic linkers and metal structural building units (SBUs). Among the recent great challenges for scientists include switchable MOFs and their corresponding applications. Switchable MOFs are a type of smart material that undergo distinct, reversible, chemical changes in their structure upon exposure to external stimuli, yielding interesting technological applicability. Although the process of switching shares similarities with flexibility, very limited studies have been devoted specifically to switching, while a fairly large amount of research and a number of Reviews have covered flexibility in MOFs. This Review focuses on the properties and general design of switchable MOFs. The switching activity has been delineated based on the cause of the switching: light, spin crossover (SCO), redox, temperature, and wettability.     

Metal–Organic Framework‐Derived Carbon Nanorods Encapsulating Bismuth Oxides for Rapid and Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Formate

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion is promising in alleviating the excessive CO₂ level and simultaneously producing valuables. This work reports the preparation of carbon nanorods encapsulated bismuth oxides for the efficient CO₂ electroconversion toward formate production. This resultant catalyst exhibits a small onset potential of ?0.28 V vs. RHE and partial current density of over 200 mA cm^?2 with a stable and high Faradaic efficiency of 93 % for formate generation in a flow cell configuration. Electrochemical results demonstrate the synergistic effect in the Bi₂O₃@C promotes the rapid and selective CO₂ reduction in which the Bi₂O₃ is beneficial for improving the reaction kinetics and formate selectivity, while the carbon matrix would be helpful for enhancing the activity and current density of formate production. This work provides effective bismuth‐based MOF derivatives for efficient formate production and offers insights in promoting practical CO₂ conversion technology.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In view of the clean and sustainable energy, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based materials, including pristine MOFs, MOF composites, and their derivatives are emerging as unique electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Thanks to their tunable compositions and diverse structures, efficient MOF‐based materials provide new opportunities to accelerate the sluggish ORR at the cathode in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. This Minireview first provides some introduction of ORR and MOFs, followed by the classification of MOF‐based electrocatalysts towards ORR. Recent breakthroughs in engineering MOF‐based ORR electrocatalysts are highlighted with an emphasis on synthesis strategy, component, morphology, structure, electrocatalytic performance, and reaction mechanism. Finally, some current challenges and future perspectives for MOF‐based ORR electrocatalysts are also discussed.     

Shaping Microcrystals of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Reaction–Diffusion

When components of a metal–organic framework (MOF) and a crystal growth modulator diffuse through a gel medium, they can form arrays of regularly‐spaced precipitation bands containing MOF crystals of different morphologies. With time, slow variations in the local concentrations of the growth modulator cause the crystals to change their shapes, ultimately resulting in unusual concave microcrystallites not available via solution‐based methods. The reaction–diffusion and periodic precipitation phenomena 1) extend to various types of MOFs and also MOPs (metal–organic polyhedra), and 2) can be multiplexed to realize within one gel multiple growth conditions, in effect leading to various crystalline phases or polycrystalline formations.     

Metal‐Ion Metathesis in Metal–Organic Frameworks: A Synthetic Route to New Metal–Organic Frameworks

A porous metal–organic framework, Mn(H₃O)[(Mn₄Cl)₃(hmtt)₈] (POST‐65), was prepared by the reaction of 5,5′,10,10′,15,15′‐hexamethyltruxene‐2,7,12‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃hmtt) with MnCl₂ under solvothermal conditions. POST‐65(Mn) was subjected to post‐synthetic modification with Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu according to an ion‐exchange method that resulted in the formation of three isomorphous frameworks, POST‐65(Co/Ni/Cu), as well as a new framework, POST‐65(Fe). The ion‐exchanged samples could not be prepared by regular solvothermal reactions. The complete exchange of the metal ions and retention of the framework structure were verified by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface‐area analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractions studies revealed a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC)‐transformation nature of the ion‐exchange process. Hydrogen‐sorption and magnetization measurements showed metal‐specific properties of POST‐65.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks: Opportunities for Catalysis

The role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in the field of catalysis is discussed, and special focus is placed on their assets and limits in light of current challenges in catalysis and green chemistry. Their structural and dynamic features are presented in terms of catalytic functions along with how MOFs can be designed to bridge the gap between zeolites and enzymes. The contributions of MOFs to the field of catalysis are comprehensively reviewed and a list of catalytic candidates is given. The subject is presented from a multidisciplinary point of view covering solid‐state chemistry, materials science, and catalysis.     

Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks for Gas Separation

Microporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are comparatively new porous materials. Because the pores within such MOFs can be readily tuned through the interplay of both metal‐containing clusters and organic linkers to induce their size‐selective sieving effects, while the pore surfaces can be straightforwardly functionalized to enforce their different interactions with gas molecules, MOF materials are very promising for gas separation. Furthermore, the high porosities of such materials can enable microporous MOFs with optimized gas separation selectivity and capacity to be targeted. This Focus Review highlights recent significant advances in microporous MOFs for gas separation.     

Ligand Functionalization and Its Effect on CO2 Adsorption in Microporous Metal–Organic Frameworks

We report two new 3D structures, [Zn₃(bpdc)₃(2,2′‐dmbpy)] (DMF)_x(H₂O)_y ( 1 ) and [Zn₃(bpdc)₃(3,3′‐dmbpy)]?(DMF)₄(H₂O)_0.5 ( 2 ), by methyl functionalization of the pillar ligand in [Zn₃(bpdc)₃(bpy)] (DMF)₄?(H₂O) ( 3 ) (bpdc=biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid; z,z′‐dmbpy=z,z′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridine; bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that 2 is isostructural to 3 , and the power X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) study shows a very similar framework of 1 to 2 and 3 . Both 1 and 2 are 3D porous structures made of Zn₃(COO)₆ secondary building units (SBUs) and 2,2′‐ or 3,3′‐dmbpy as pillar ligand. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and PXRD studies reveal high thermal and water stability for both compounds. Gas‐adsorption studies show that the reduction of surface area and pore volume by introducing a methyl group to the bpy ligand leads to a decrease in H₂ uptake for both compounds. However, CO₂ adsorption experiments with 1′ (guest‐free 1 ) indicate significant enhancement in CO₂ uptake, whereas for 2′ (guest‐free 2 ) the adsorbed amount is decreased. These results suggest that there are two opposing and competitive effects brought on by methyl functionalization: the enhancement due to increased isosteric heats of CO₂ adsorption (Q_st), and the detraction due to the reduction of surface area and pore volume. For 1′ , the enhancement effect dominates, which leads to a significantly higher uptake of CO₂ than its parent compound 3′ (guest‐free 3 ). For 2′ , the detraction effect predominates, thereby resulting in reduced CO₂ uptake relative to its parent structure 3′ . IR and Raman spectroscopic studies also present evidence for strong interaction between CO₂ and methyl‐functionalized π moieties. Furthermore, all compounds exhibit high separation capability for CO₂ over other small gases including CH₄, CO, N₂, and O₂.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for Oxidation Reactions

This Concept is aimed at describing the current state of the art in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as heterogeneous catalysts for liquid‐phase oxidations, focusing on three important substrates, namely, alkenes, alkanes and alcohols. Emphases are on the nature of active sites that have been incorporated within MOFs and on future targets to be set in this area. Thus, selective alkene epoxidation with peroxides or oxygen catalyzed by constitutional metal nodes of MOFs as active sites are still to be developed. Moreover, no noble metal‐free MOF has been reported to date that can act as a general catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols. In contrast, in the case of alkanes, a target should be to tune the polarity of MOF internal pores to control the outcome of the autooxidation process, resulting in the selective formation of alcohol/ketone mixtures at high conversion.     

Tuning Hydrogen Sorption Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Postsynthetic Covalent Modification

Postsynthetic modification is presented as a means to tune the hydrogen adsorption properties of a series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). IRMOF‐3 (isoreticular metal–organic framework), UMCM‐1‐NH₂ (University of Michigan crystalline material), and DMOF‐1‐NH₂ (DABCO metal–organic framework) have been covalently modified with a series of anhydrides or isocyanates and the hydrogen sorption properties have been studied. Both the storage capacities and isosteric heats of adsorption clearly show that covalent postsynthetic modification can significantly enhance the sorption affinity of MOFs with hydrogen and in some cases increase both gravimetric and volumetric uptake of the gas as much as 40 %. The significance of the present study is illustrated by: 1) the nature of the substituents introduced by postsynthetic modification result in different effects on the binding of hydrogen; 2) the covalent postsynthetic modification approach allows for systematic modulation of hydrogen sorption properties; and 3) the ease of postsynthetic modification of MOFs allows a direct evaluation of the interplay between MOF structure, hydrogen uptake, and heat of adsorption. The findings presented herein show that postsynthetic modification is a powerful method to manipulate and better understand the gas sorption properties of MOFs.     

Stimulus‐Responsive Metal–Organic Frameworks

Materials that can recognize the changes in their local environment and respond by altering their inherent physical and/or chemical properties are strong candidates for future “smart” technology materials. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years owing to their designable architecture, host–guest chemistry, and softness as porous materials. Despite this fact, studies on the tuning of the properties of MOFs by external stimuli are still rare. This review highlights the recent developments in the field of stimulus‐responsive MOFs or so‐called smart MOFs. In particular, the various stimuli used and the utility of stimulus‐responsive smart MOFs for various applications such as gas storage and separation, sensing, clean energy, catalysis, molecular motors, and biomedical applications are highlighted by using representative examples. Future directions in the developments of stimulus‐responsive smart MOFs and their applications are proposed from a personal perspective.     

Electrically Conductive Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks

Owing to their outstanding structural, chemical, and functional diversity, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention over the last two decades in a variety of energy‐related applications. Notably missing among these, until recently, were applications that required good charge transport coexisting with porosity and high surface area. Although most MOFs are electrical insulators, several materials in this class have recently demonstrated excellent electrical conductivity and high charge mobility. Herein we review the synthetic and electronic design strategies that have been employed thus far for producing frameworks with permanent porosity and long‐range charge transport properties. In addition, key experiments that have been employed to demonstrate electrical transport, as well as selected applications for this subclass of MOFs, will be discussed.