基于金属有机骨架材料固定相的气相色谱分离应用

金属有机骨架材料(MOFs)是一类由有机配体和金属离子(或金属簇)自组装形成的新型多功能材料。MOFs具有孔隙度高、比表面积大、孔径可调、化学和热稳定性高等特点,被广泛应用于吸附、分离、催化等多个领域。近年来,MOFs作为新型气相色谱固定相用于分离异构体受到了广泛关注。与传统无机多孔材料相比,MOFs在结构和功能上展现出高度的可调性,通过合理地选择配体和金属中心,可以设计合成具有不同孔道大小和孔道环境的MOFs,从而分别从热力学和动力学角度优化色谱分离效果,有效提高分离选择性。该文结合MOFs的结构,讨论了MOFs气相色谱固定相分离不同类型分析物的分离机理。分离机理主要包括MOFs孔道的分子筛效应或形状选择性,MOFs不饱和的金属位点与分析物中不同的官能团之间产生的相互作用,分析物与MOFs孔道之间产生的不同范德华力、π-π相互作用和氢键相互作用。此外,MOFs的手性分离可能主要依赖于外消旋体与手性MOFs中手性活性位点之间的相互作用。该文也对不同分析目标物进行了归类,综述了多种MOFs气相色谱固定相对烷烃、二甲苯异构体和乙基甲苯、外消旋体、含氧有机物、环境有机污染物的气相色谱分离效果。最后,该文还对MOFs在该领域的应用进行了总结与展望,旨在为MOFs气相色谱高效分离的研究提供参考。     

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.     

Large‐Scale Screening and Design of Metal–Organic Frameworks for CH4/N2 Separation

CH₄/N₂ separation is one of the great challenges in gas separation, which is of scientific and practical importance, such as in the upgrading of unconventional natural gas. Unfortunately, the separation performance is still quite low so far mainly due to their very close physical properties. In this work, a high‐throughput computational screening method was performed to develop metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for efficient CH₄/N₂ separation. General designing rules as well as the correlation between selectivity and our proposed adsorbility (AD) parameter were obtained by carrying out systematic GCMC simulations of the existing 5109 CoRE MOFs. With the aid of this information, five virtual MOFs were screened out from the large database with 303 991 generated MOFs constructed in our previous work, exhibiting much higher selectivities than all the reported values. Among them, the selectivity of Zn‐PYZ‐BPY‐1 can reach over 29.0, about 2.4 times of the highest value reported in the literature. These results may not only suggest promising candidates for CH₄/N₂ separation but also provide useful information for large screening of MOFs for other specific separation mixtures.     

Metal–Organic‐Framework‐based Gas Chromatographic Separation

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been applied in various fields because of their fascinating structures and excellent properties. MOFs can serve as stationary phases in gas chromatography (GC), which has led to exceptional improvements of performance. Here, we summarize the application of MOFs in GC based on the classification of analytes. The advantages and separation mechanism of MOFs as stationary phases in GC are discussed in combination with the characteristics and structures of MOFs. The limitations are also summarized in this review, which can provide prospects on further research for the applications of MOFs.     

Self-diffusion and transport diffusion of light gases in metal-organic framework materials assessed using molecular dynamics simulations

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials pose an interesting alternative to more traditional nanoporous materials for a variety of separation processes. Separation processes involving nanoporous materials can be controlled by either adsorption equilibrium, diffusive transport rates, or a combination of these factors. Adsorption equilibrium has been studied for a variety of gases in MOFs, but almost nothing is currently known about molecular diffusion rates in MOFs. We have used equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) to probe the self-diffusion and transport diffusion of a number of small gas species in several MOFs as a function of pore loading at room temperature. Specifically, we have studied Ar, CH4, CO2, N2, and H2 diffusion in MOF-5. The diffusion of Ar in MOF-2, MOF-3, and Cu-BTC has been assessed in a similar manner. Our results greatly expand the range of MOFs for which data describing molecular diffusion is available. We discuss the prospects for exploiting molecular transport properties in MOFs in practical separation processes and the future role of MD simulations in screening families of MOFs for these processes.     

Comparative study of adsorbents performance in ethylene/ethane separation

Some potential adsorbents for ethylene/ethane separation are ethylene selective while the others are ethane selective. Among different adsorbents, i.e., zeolites and metal organic frameworks (MOFs), a comparative study is critical to find the more suitable adsorbent for the separation. In this paper, binary ethylene/ethane adsorption performances of zeolites and MOFs, i.e., equilibrium selectivities and adsorption capacities are investigated utilizing ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST). IAST model is applied at different gas compositions (0.1–0.9 ethylene mole fractions) and pressures up to 100 kPa. The results revealed that the most selective adsorbent toward ethylene is 5A zeolite while MOFs have higher equilibrium adsorption capacities. Among zeolites and MOFs, 5A and Fe₂(dobdc) have the highest selectivity (27.4 and 13.6) and capacity (≈2.8 and 5.8 mmol ethylene/g) at 100 kPa and 298 K for a 50/50 mixture. Among ethane selective adsorbents, Silicalite-1 zeolite and UTSA-33a (MOF) have the highest selectivity and capacity (≈2.9 and ≈1.5 mmol ethane/g) at 100 kPa and 298 K for a 50/50 mixture, respectively. Investigation showed that adsorption capacity of ethylene selective adsorbents is higher than that of ethane selective ones.     

Computational Methods for MOF/Polymer Membranes

Metal–organic framework (MOF)/polymer mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have received significant interest in the last decade. MOFs are incorporated into polymers to make MMMs that exhibit improved gas permeability and selectivity compared with pure polymer membranes. The fundamental challenge in this area is to choose the appropriate MOF/polymer combinations for a gas separation of interest. Even if a single polymer is considered, there are thousands of MOFs that could potentially be used as fillers in MMMs. As a result, there has been a large demand for computational studies that can accurately predict the gas separation performance of MOF/polymer MMMs prior to experiments. We have developed computational approaches to assess gas separation potentials of MOF/polymer MMMs and used them to identify the most promising MOF/polymer pairs. In this Personal Account, we aim to provide a critical overview of current computational methods for modeling MOF/polymer MMMs. We give our perspective on the background, successes, and failures that led to developments in this area and discuss the opportunities and challenges of using computational methods for MOF/polymer MMMs.     

Molecular simulation of hydrogen diffusion in interpenetrated metal-organic frameworks

In this work a combined molecular dynamics simulation and dynamically corrected transition-state theory (dcTST) study was performed to investigate the effect of interpenetration (catenation) on hydrogen diffusion in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as well as their relationships. The results on 10 isoreticular MOFs (IRMOFs) with and without interpenetration show that catenation can reduce hydrogen diffusivity by a factor of 2 to 3 at room temperature, and for the interpenetrated IRMOFs with multi-pores of different sizes, free volume can serve as a measure for hydrogen diffusivity: the bigger the free volume, the larger the hydrogen diffusivity. In addition, the present work shows that dcTST can directly reveal the influence of the MOF structure on hydrogen diffusivity, which is a powerful tool for providing a better understanding of the relationship between gas diffusivity and MOF structure.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of gas diffusion in metal-organic frameworks: argon in CuBTC

The class of coordination polymers known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has three-dimensional porous structures that are considered as a promising alternative to zeolites and other nanoporous materials for catalysis, gas adsorption, and gas separation applications. In this paper, we present the first study of gas diffusion inside an MOF and compare the observed diffusion to known behaviors in zeolites. Using grand canonical Monte Carlo and equilibrium molecular dynamics, we calculate the adsorption isotherm and self-, corrected, and transport diffusivities for argon in the CuBTC metal-organic framework. Our results indicate that diffusion of Ar in CuBTC is very similar to Ar diffusion in silica zeolites in magnitude, concentration, and temperature dependence. This conclusion appears to apply to a broad range of MOF structures.     

Mixed‐Metal MOFs: Unique Opportunities in Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) Functionality and Design

Mixed‐metal metal–organic frameworks (MM‐MOFs) can be considered to be those MOFs having two different metals anywhere in the structure. Herein we summarize the various strategies for the preparation of MM‐MOFs and some of their applications in adsorption, gas separation, and catalysis. It is shown that compared to homometallic MOFs, MM‐MOFs bring about the opportunity to take advantage of the complexity and the synergism derived from the presence of different metal ions in the structure of MOFs. This is reflected in a superior performance and even stability of MM‐MOFs respect to related single‐metal MOFs. Emphasis is made on the use of MM‐MOFs as catalysts for tandem reactions.     

UiO-67-Sal-CuCl2在空气中催化芳香醇的选择性氧化

利用水热法一步合成了金属有机骨架(MOFs)材料UiO-67-Sal, 并将3种铜盐固定在其表面, 研究了3种铜MOFs材料催化芳香醇选择性氧化的性能. 结果表明, UiO-67-Sal-CuCl₂催化剂对芳香醇选择性氧化反应具有良好的催化活性, 且在重复使用4次后, 依然保持较好的催化效果.     

Surface chemistry of metal-organic frameworks at the liquid-solid interface

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a fascinating class of novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials. They are essentially based on classic coordination chemistry and hold much promise for unique applications ranging from gas storage and separation to chemical sensing, catalysis, and drug release. The evolution of the full innovative potential of MOFs, in particular for nanotechnology and device integration, however requires a fundamental understanding of the formation process of MOFs. Also necessary is the ability to control the growth of thin MOF films and the positioning of size- and shape-selected crystals as well as MOF heterostructures on a given surface in a well-defined and oriented fashion. MOFs are solid-state materials typically formed by solvothermal reactions and their crystallization from the liquid phase involves the surface chemistry of their building blocks. This Review brings together various key aspects of the surface chemistry of MOFs.     

金属有机框架色谱固定相的研究进展

金属有机框架(MOFs)是由金属离子或金属簇与有机配体通过配位作用自组装形成的一类新型多孔材料. MOFs具有独特的拓扑结构、丰富的孔隙结构、可调的孔道尺寸、巨大的比表面积以及灵活的表面修饰等特征,是色谱分离领域颇受关注的一类新型固定相. 综述了近几年MOFs材料作为固定相在气相色谱、液相色谱及手性拆分等领域应用的研究进展,展现MOFs材料在色谱分离领域的优异性能和应用潜力,并对MOFs材料在色谱固定相领域今后的发展进行了展望.     

金属有机骨架及其复合材料在分离领域中的应用进展

金属有机骨架（MOFs）是一类由无机金属离子与有机配体自组装形成的新型有机-无机杂化多孔材料,因具有比表面积超高、结构多样、热稳定性良好、孔道尺寸和性质可调等优势,在分离领域表现出重要的应用价值。然而,采用传统方法制备的MOFs多为粒径在微米或亚微米尺度的晶体,且颗粒形貌不规则,因此限制了MOFs在样品前处理和色谱固定相等领域的应用和发展。构建基于MOFs的复合材料是弥补MOFs应用缺陷的一项有效措施,有望在保留MOFs优越的分离特性的同时,引入基体材料的特定性能。该文简要综述了近年来MOFs及其复合材料在吸附、样品前处理和色谱固定相等分离领域中的应用进展,并对MOFs在分离科学中的应用前景做出展望。     

Impact of Higher‐Order Structuralization on the Adsorptive Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks

The structural processing of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) over multiple length scales is critical for their successful use as adsorbents in a variety of emerging applications. Although significant advances in molecular‐scale design have provided strategies to boost the adsorptive capacities of MOFs, relatively little attention has been directed toward understanding the influence of higher‐order structuralization on the material performance. Herein, we present the main strategies that are currently available for the structural processing of MOFs and discuss the influence these processes can impart on the adsorptive properties of the materials. In all, this intriguing area of research is expected to provide significant opportunities to enhance the properties of MOFs further, which will ultimately aid in their optimization in the context of specific real‐world applications.     

Development and evaluation of porous materials for carbon dioxide separation and capture

The development of new microporous materials for adsorption separation processes is a rapidly growing field because of potential applications such as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and purification of clean-burning natural gas. In particular, new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other porous coordination polymers are being generated at a rapid and growing pace. Herein, we address the question of how this large number of materials can be quickly evaluated for their practical application in carbon dioxide separation processes. Five adsorbent evaluation criteria from the chemical engineering literature are described and used to assess over 40 MOFs for their potential in CO(2) separation processes for natural gas purification, landfill gas separation, and capture of CO(2) from power-plant flue gas. Comparisons with other materials such as zeolites are made, and the relationships between MOF properties and CO(2) separation potential are investigated from the large data set. In addition, strategies for tailoring and designing MOFs to enhance CO(2) adsorption are briefly reviewed.     

In silico screening of metal-organic frameworks in separation applications

Porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) offer considerable potential for separating a variety of mixtures such as those relevant for CO(2) capture (CO(2)/H(2), CO(2)/CH(4), CO(2)/N(2)), CH(4)/H(2), alkanes/alkenes, and hydrocarbon isomers. There are basically two different separation technologies that can be employed: (1) a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit with a fixed bed of adsorbent particles, and (2) a membrane device, wherein the mixture is allowed to permeate through a micro-porous crystalline layer. In view of the vast number of MOFs, and ZIFs that have been synthesized there is a need for a systematic screening of potential candidates for any given separation task. Also of importance is to investigate how MOFs and ZIFs stack up against the more traditional zeolites such as NaX and NaY with regard to their separation characteristics. This perspective highlights the potency of molecular simulations in determining the choice of the best MOF or ZIF for a given separation task. A variety of metrics that quantify the separation performance, such as adsorption selectivity, working capacity, diffusion selectivity, and membrane permeability, are determined from a combination of Configurational-Bias Monte Carlo (CBMC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The practical utility of the suggested screening methodology is demonstrated by comparison with available experimental data.     

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.     

金属-有机骨架材料用于废水处理

废水中的各种有害物质常常具有生物毒性或致癌性,因此如何高效、节能地处理水体污染是一个亟待解决的重要问题。金属-有机骨架材料(metal-organic frameworks, MOFs)是一种新型纳米多孔材料,具有种类多样性、结构可设计性与可调控性、高比表面积及良好的热稳定性等优点,已成为当前化学、材料学科的一个研究热点, 在多个领域显示出潜在的应用前景,尤其是在分离方面。与气相分离相比,MOFs用于液相分离的研究较少。本文综述了近年来MOFs用于含有染料、药物、醇、芳香族化合物、重金属离子及其他离子的废水处理的研究进展,重点剖析了MOFs的孔结构、骨架电荷及功能性对分离效果的影响,并结合本课题组的研究工作,对这种新型多功能材料在水处理方面的前景和今后的研究重点作了展望。     

金属-有机骨架材料中吸附气体的扩散速率

采用分子动力学方法,以甲烷为探针分子研究了不同压力条件下气体在具有不同孔道结构的金属-有机骨架材料(MOFs)中的扩散速率.通过计算气体在八种材料中的自扩散系数,并结合气体分子在材料中的质心分布图等,讨论了气体扩散速率与孔道结构之间的关系.研究结果表明:对于同时含有孔笼(pocket)和三维正交孔道(channel)结构的MOF材料(P-C材料),低压时甲烷气体吸附在孔笼结构中,随着压力的升高,气体分子开始进入正交孔道,同时其自扩散系数增加;而对于只含有三维立方孔道结构的IRMOF(isoreticular MOF)系列材料,在中低压范围内,气体分子在其中的自扩散系数随压力变化较小.当压力进一步升高时,气体分子在材料孔道中的吸附逐渐接近饱和,其自扩散系数均降低.因此,在不同MOF材料中气体分子扩散速率的差异主要取决于孔道结构的不同.对P-C材料,中低压下通过控制压力可以控制气体在其中的扩散速率,从而为MOF材料在气体存储、分离等方面的实际应用提供参考信息.