Van der Waals density functional study of hydrocarbon adsorption and separation in metal–organic frameworks without open metal sites

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have received significant attention thanks to their promising features in the storage and separation of guest molecules. MOFs without open metal sites are emerging as they are often less susceptible to poisoning compared to those with open metal sites. However, a complete understanding of the binding and gas separation mechanisms in such materials is still missing. In this work, we perform a comparative study of two classes of vanadium-based MOFs without open metal sites: MFM-300-V$$^\text{(III)}$$ (III) and MFM-300-V$$^\text{(IV)}$$ (IV) , as well as MIL-47-V$$^\text{(III)}$$ (III) and MIL-47-V$$^\text{(IV)}$$ (IV) . We employ first-principles van der Waals density functional theory to find the optimal binding conformations and binding energies of a series of small hydrocarbons within the pores of the aforementioned MOFs. Our study provides insight into the host–guest interactions in such MOFs without open metal sites, especially the role played by the bridging hydroxyl group ($$\mu _2$$ μ 2 –OH). We conclude that the bridging –OH group acts as a pseudo open metal site in these MOFs. Graphic abstract

Efficient propyne/propadiene separation by microporous crystalline physiadsorbents

Selective separation of propyne/propadiene mixture to obtain pure propadiene (allene), an essential feedstock for organic synthesis, remains an unsolved challenge in the petrochemical industry, thanks mainly to their similar physicochemical properties. We herein introduce a convenient and energy-efficient physisorptive approach to achieve propyne/propadiene separation using microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Specifically, HKUST-1, one of the most widely studied high surface area MOFs that is available commercially, is found to exhibit benchmark performance (propadiene production up to 69.6 cm3/g, purity > 99.5%) as verified by dynamic breakthrough experiments. Experimental and modeling studies provide insight into the performance of HKUST-1 and indicate that it can be attributed to a synergy between thermodynamics and kinetics that arises from abundant open metal sites and cage-based molecular traps in HKUST-1.

Tunable Band Gaps in MUV-10(M): A Family of Photoredox-Active MOFs with Earth-Abundant Open Metal Sites

<div> <div> <p>Titanium-based metal—organic frameworks (Ti-MOFs) attract intense research attention because they can store charges in the form of Ti3+ and they serve as photosensitizers for co-catalysts through heterogeneous photoredox reactions at the MOF-liquid interface. Both charge storage and charge transfer depend on redox potentials of the MOF and the molecular substrate, but the factors controlling these energetic aspects are not well understood. Additionally, photocatalysis involving Ti-MOFs relies on co-catalysts rather than the intrinsic Ti reactivity in part because Ti-MOFs with open metal sites are rare. Here, we report that the class of Ti-MOFs known as MUV-10 can be synthetically modified to include a range of redox-inactive ions with flexible coordination environments that control the energies of the photoactive orbitals. Lewis acidic cations installed in the MOF cluster (Cd, Sr , and Ba ) or introduced to the pores (H, Li, Na, K) tune the electronic structure and band gaps of the MOFs. Through use of optical redox indicators, we report the first direct measurement of the Fermi levels (redox potentials) of photoexcited MOFs in situ. Taken together, these results explain the ability of Ti-MOFs to store charges and provide design principles for achieving heterogeneous photoredox chemistry with electrostatic control.</p> </div> </div>

Tunable Band Gaps in MUV-10(M): A Family of Photoredox-Active MOFs with Earth-Abundant Open Metal Sites

<div> <div> <p>Titanium-based metal—organic frameworks (Ti-MOFs) attract intense research attention because they can store charges in the form of Ti3+ and they serve as photosensitizers for co-catalysts through heterogeneous photoredox reactions at the MOF-liquid interface. Both charge storage and charge transfer depend on redox potentials of the MOF and the molecular substrate, but the factors controlling these energetic aspects are not well understood. Additionally, photocatalysis involving Ti-MOFs relies on co-catalysts rather than the intrinsic Ti reactivity in part because Ti-MOFs with open metal sites are rare. Here, we report that the class of Ti-MOFs known as MUV-10 can be synthetically modified to include a range of redox-inactive ions with flexible coordination environments that control the energies of the photoactive orbitals. Lewis acidic cations installed in the MOF cluster (Cd, Sr , and Ba ) or introduced to the pores (H, Li, Na, K) tune the electronic structure and band gaps of the MOFs. Through use of optical redox indicators, we report the first direct measurement of the Fermi levels (redox potentials) of photoexcited MOFs in situ. Taken together, these results explain the ability of Ti-MOFs to store charges and provide design principles for achieving heterogeneous photoredox chemistry with electrostatic control.</p> </div> </div>