Tuning Intrinsic and Extrinsic Proton Conduction in Metal–Organic Frameworks by the Lanthanide Contraction

Ligand-Functionalization-Controlled Activity of Metal-Organic Framework-Encapsulated Pt Nanocatalyst toward Activation of Water

We first report the systematic control of the reactivity of H₂O vapor in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with Pt nanocrystals (NCs) through ligand functionalization. We successfully synthesized Pt NCs covered with a water-stable MOF, UiO-66 (Pt@UiO-66), having different metal ions or functionalized ligands. The ligand functionalization of UiO-66 significantly affected the catalytic performance of the water-gas shift reaction, and the replacement of Zr⁴⁺ ions with Hf⁴⁺ ions in UiO-66 had no impact on the catalytic activity. The introduction of a -Br group lowered the reactivity of Pt@UiO-66 by nearly half, whereas the substitution of -Br with a -Me₂ group triply enhanced the activity. The origin of the enhanced catalytic activity was found to be the change in H₂O activity in the UiO-66 pores by the ligand functionalization, which was investigated using H₂O sorption, solid-state NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and in situ IR measurements. This work opens a new prospect to develop MOFs as a platform to activate H₂O.

Particle size dependence of proton conduction in a cationic lanthanum phosphonate MOF

Particle size-dependent proton conduction is studied in a lanthanum(iii) metal–organic framework, PCMOF21-AcO [La₂(H2L)_1.5(AcO)₃·(H₂O)_5.59], with a 3-D network linked by dicationic bis(dimethylphosphonato)bipiperidinium units.

The chemistry of Ce-based metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained widespread attention due to their modular construction that allows the tuning of their properties. Within this vast class of compounds, metal carboxylates containing tri- and tetravalent metal ions have been in the focus of many studies due to their often high thermal and chemical stabilities. Cerium has a rich chemistry, which depends strongly on its oxidation state. Ce(iii) exhibits properties typically observed for rare earth elements, while Ce(iv) is mostly known for its oxidation behaviour. In MOF chemistry this is reflected in their unique optical and catalytic properties. The synthetic parameters for Ce(iii)- and Ce(iv)-MOFs also differ substantially and conditions must be chosen to prevent reduction of Ce(iv) for the formation of the latter. Ce(iii)-MOFs are usually reported in comprehensive studies together with those constructed with other RE elements and normally they are isostructural. They exhibit a greater structural diversity, which is reflected in the larger variety of inorganic building units. In contrast, the synthesis conditions of Ce(iv)-MOFs were only recently (2015) established. These lead selectively to hexanuclear Ce-O clusters that are well-known for Zr-MOFs and therefore very similar structural and isoreticluar chemistry is found. Hence Ce(iv)-MOFs exhibit often high porosity, while only a few porous Ce(iii)-MOFs have been described. Some of these show structural flexibility which makes them interesting for separation processes. For Ce(iv)-MOFs the redox properties are most relevant. Thus, they are intensively discussed for catalytic, photocatalytic and sensing applications. In this perspective, the synthesis, structural chemistry and properties of Ce-MOFs are summarized.

Proton conductivity studies on five isostructural MOFs with different acidity induced by metal cations

Five isostructural MOFs display very different proton conductivities despite the same proton transfer pathway. This difference is caused by the different coordination ability between the metal cations and the ligand.

Rare-earth metal–organic frameworks: from structure to applications

In the past 30 years, rare-earth metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been gaining attention owing to their diverse chemical structures, and tunable properties.

Structural features of proton-conducting metal organic and covalent organic frameworks

Proton conductivity in MOFs and COFs have been attracted due to their applicability as electrolytes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. A short overview with recent updates on the structural features of MOFs and COFs for proton conduction are presented here.

Two-dimensional layered lanthanide diphosphonates: synthesis, structures and sensing properties toward Fe3+ and Cr2O72−

Four new lanthanide phosphonates with two-dimensional layered crystal structures have been synthesized and investigated for the optical sensing of Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇²⁻ ions.

PbX2(OOCMMIm) (X = Cl, Br): photoluminescent organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide compounds with high proton conductivity

Differences in the electronegativity and hydrophilicity of halogens lead to differences in proton-conducting and photoluminescence properties in hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide compounds of [PbX₂(OOCMMIm)]_n (X = Cl (1), Br (2), HOOCMMIm = 1-carboxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium).

Enhancement of Intrinsic Proton Conductivity and Aniline Sensitivity by Introducing Dye Molecules into the MOF Channel

The encapsulation of dyes into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has generated a variety of platforms for luminescence, but little attention has been paid to their application in proton conduction. Here, a cationic MOF {{[In₃OL_1.5(H₂O)₃](NO₃)}·(DMA)₃·(CH₃CN)₆·(H₂O)₃₀} _n (FJU-10, H₄L = 4,4',4″,4‴-(1,4-phenylenbis(pyridine-4,2,6-triyl))-tetrabenzoic acid, DMA = N, N-dimethylacetamide) was synthesized, and the dye molecule 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) was further added to the MOF growth solution, but during the reaction, HPTS was nitrated and nitrated HPTS was encapsulated into the FJU-10 to obtain dye@FJU-10. As a result, the intrinsic proton conductivity of dye@FJU-10 is nearly 5 times higher than that of FJU-10 at 90 °C. Dye@FJU-10 exhibits more sensitive fluorescence quenching toward aniline than FJU-10 in DMF solution (the detection limits of FJU-10 and dye@FJU-10 are as low as 0.58 and 0.62 μM, respectively). Here, it is demonstrated for the first time that intrinsic proton conductivity can be effectively improved by encapsulating a nitrated HPTS dye into an MOF.

Designing UiO-66-Based Superprotonic Conductor with the Highest Metal-Organic Framework Based Proton Conductivity

Metal-organic framework (MOF) based proton conductors have received immense importance recently. The present study endeavors to design two post synthetically modified UiO-66-based MOFs and examines the effects of their structural differences on their proton conductivity. UiO-66-NH₂ is modified by reaction with sultones to prepare two homologous compounds, that is, PSM 1 and PSM 2, with SO₃H functionalization in comparable extent (Zr:S = 2:1) in both. However, the pendant alkyl chain holding the -SO₃H group is of different length. PSM 2 has longer alkyl chain attachment than PSM 1. This difference in the length of side arms results in a huge difference in proton conductivity of the two compounds. PSM 1 is observed to have the highest MOF-based proton conductivity (1.64 × 10^-1 S cm^-1) at 80 °C, which is comparable to commercially available Nafion, while PSM 2 shows significantly lower conductivity (4.6 × 10^-3 S cm^-1). Again, the activation energy for proton conduction is one of the lowest among all MOF-based proton conductors in the case of PSM 1, while PSM 2 requires larger activation energy (almost 3 times). This profound effect of variation of the chain length of the side arm by one carbon atom in the case of PSM 1 and PSM 2 was rather surprising and never documented before. This effect of the length of the side arm can be very useful to understand the proton conduction mechanism of MOF-based compounds and also to design better proton conductors. Besides, PSM 1 showed proton conductivity as high as 1.64 × 10^-1 S cm^-1 at 80 °C, which is the highest reported value to date among all MOF-based systems. The lability of the -SO₃H proton of the post synthetically modified UiO-66 MOFs has theoretically been determined by molecular electrostatic potential analysis and theoretical p K_a calculation of models of functional sites along with relevant NBO analyses.

Supramolecular hydrogen-bonded organic networks through acid–base pairs as efficient proton-conducting electrolytes

The research of developing new proton-conducting materials via a simple and cost-effective method is vital in fuel cell technology.

A stable polyoxometalate-based porous coordination polymer with high proton conductivity

A new porous coordination polymer (1) has been prepared by a hydrothermal method. The supramolecular framework of 1 is stable in aqueous solutions with pH ranging from 1 to 13 and boiling solvents, such as water, methanol and ethanol. The proton conductive properties of 1 are also studied.

A uranyl phosphonate framework with a temperature-induced order–disorder transition and temperature-correlated photoluminescence

UPF-1 experiences a thermally induced order–disorder transition, leading to a negative linear correlation between the photoluminescence intensity and temperature, and may find application as a luminescent thermometer.

A new europium metal–organic framework with both high proton conductivity and highly sensitive detection of ascorbic acid

The highest proton conductivity of the new Eu-MOF reaches up to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹. Furthermore, it is an excellent luminescence-based sensor for detection of ascorbic acid (AA) in aqueous solutions.

Solvent-free synthesis and room temperature proton conductivity of new cobalt phosphite–oxalates

Two new cobalt phosphite–oxalates (1 and 2) have been synthesized under solvent-free conditions. Compound 2 possesses room temperature proton conductivity.

3D isomorphous lanthanide coordination polymers displaying magnetic refrigeration, slow magnetic relaxation and tunable proton conduction

Four lanthanide 3D coordination frameworks with 1D hydrophilic channels along the crystallographic c direction have been investigated for their proton conduction and magnetic properties.

Reversible three equal-step spin crossover in an iron(ii) Hofmann-type metal–organic framework

A novel bent ligand-pillared 3D Hofmann-type MOF exhibited incomplete three-step spin-crossover behavior with a sequence of HS^1.00 ↔ HS^0.75LS^0.25 ↔ HS^0.5LS^0.5 ↔ HS^0.25LS^0.75.

Inorganic open framework based on lanthanide ions and polyoxometalates with high proton conductivity

The development of new proton-conducting materials that are cost effective and have high proton conductivity and water stability is very important in fuel cell technology.