The Mechanism of Chemical Vapor Deposition of Cubic Boron Nitride Films from Fluorine-Containing Species

Vacuum-Ultraviolet Photon Detections

Vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photon detection technology is an effective means for the exploration in the field of space science (monitoring the formation and evolution of solar storms), high-energy physics (dark matter detection), large-scale scientific facility (VUV free electron lasers) and electronic industry (high-resolution lithography). The advancement of this technology mainly depends on the performance optimization of VUV photodetectors. In this review, we introduced the research progress on the typical VUV photodetectors based on scintillator, photomultiplier tube, semiconductor, and gas, with their unique advantages and optimal performance indicators in different applications summarized. In particular, during recent years, thanks to the advances in ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, economical VUV photodetectors with low power consumption and small size have been encouragingly developed. Finally, we pointed out the remaining challenges for each type of VUV detector, with the aim of maximizing the performance in a variety of applications in the future.

Catalytic CVD synthesis of boron nitride and carbon nanomaterials - synergies between experiment and theory

Low-dimensional carbon and boron nitride nanomaterials - hexagonal boron nitride, graphene, boron nitride nanotubes and carbon nanotubes - remain at the forefront of advanced materials research. Catalytic chemical vapour deposition has become an invaluable technique for reliably and cost-effectively synthesising these materials. In this review, we will emphasise how a synergy between experimental and theoretical methods has enhanced the understanding and optimisation of this synthetic technique. This review examines recent advances in the application of CVD to synthesising boron nitride and carbon nanomaterials and highlights where, in many cases, molecular simulations and quantum chemistry have provided key insights complementary to experimental investigation. This synergy is particularly prominent in the field of carbon nanotube and graphene CVD synthesis, and we propose here it will be the key to future advances in optimisation of CVD synthesis of boron nitride nanomaterials, boron nitride - carbon composite materials, and other nanomaterials generally.

Facile synthesis, microstructure and photophysical properties of core-shell nanostructured (SiCN)/BN nanocomposites

Increasing structural complexity at nanoscale can permit superior control over photophysical properties in the precursor-derived semiconductors. We demonstrate here the synthesis of silicon carbonitride (SiCN)/boron nitride (BN) nanocomposites via a polymer precursor route wherein the cobalt polyamine complexes used as the catalyst, exhibiting novel composite structures and photophysical properties. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) analysis shows that the diameters of SiCN-BN core-shell nanocomposites and BN shells are 50‒400 nm and 5‒25 nm, respectively. BN nanosheets (BNNSs) are also observed with an average sheet size of 5‒15 nm. The photophysical properties of these nanocomposites are characterized using the UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. The as-produced composites have emission behavior including an emission lifetime of 2.5 ns (±20 ps) longer observed in BN doped SiCN than that seen for SiC nanoparticles. Our results suggest that the SiCN/BN nanocomposites act as semiconductor displaying superior width photoluminescence at wavelengths spanning the visible to near-infrared (NIR) spectral range (400‒700 nm), owing to the heterojunction of the interface between the SiC(N) nanowire core and the BN nanosheet shell.

Surface Transfer Doping of Cubic Boron Nitride Films by MoO3 and Tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ)

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) has strong potential for the applications in high-temperature and high-power electronics and deep ultraviolet devices due to its outstanding combined physical and chemical properties. P-type surface transfer doping of heteroepitaxial cBN films was achieved by employing MoO3 and tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) as the surface dopants. The surface conductivities of hydrogenated cBN films increased by 3-6 orders after the deposition of surface dopants. The photoemission spectroscopy (PES) measurements revealed the variation of electronic structures at the interface regions, which suggested that the electron transfer from cBN films to the surface dopants induced hole accumulation at the cBN surface and the increase of surface conductivity. Based on the PES results, the energy level diagrams at MoO3/cBN and F4-TCNQ/cBN interfaces were determined. The achievement provided a potential approach for fabricating cBN-based electronic devices, especially on micrometer and nanometer scales.

When epitaxy meets plasma: a path to ordered nanosheets arrays

The possibility of a controlled assembly of 2-dimensional (2D) nanosheets (NSs) into ordered arrays or even more sophisticated structures offers tremendous opportunities in the context of fabrication of a variety of NSs based devices. Reports of such ordered NSs are rare and all conventional "top-down" methods typically led to coarse structures exhibiting only limited surface quality. In this work, we demonstrate a path to directly synthesis ordered NSs arrays in a plasma activated chemical vapor deposition technique utilizing planar defects formed during hetero-epitaxial growth of crystals featuring a close-packed lattice. As an example, the synthesis of 3C-SiC NSs arrays with well-defined orientation on (001) and (111) Si substrates is shown. A detailed analysis identifies planar defects and the plasma environment as key factors determining the resulting 2D NSs arrays. Consequently, a "planar defects induced selective growth" effect is proposed to elucidate the corresponding growth mechanism.

Boron nitride nanotubes and nanosheets

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a layered material with a graphite-like structure in which planar networks of BN hexagons are regularly stacked. As the structural analogue of a carbon nanotube (CNT), a BN nanotube (BNNT) was first predicted in 1994; since then, it has become one of the most intriguing non-carbon nanotubes. Compared with metallic or semiconducting CNTs, a BNNT is an electrical insulator with a band gap of ca. 5 eV, basically independent of tube geometry. In addition, BNNTs possess a high chemical stability, excellent mechanical properties, and high thermal conductivity. The same advantages are likely applicable to a graphene analogue-a monatomic layer of a hexagonal BN. Such unique properties make BN nanotubes and nanosheets a promising nanomaterial in a variety of potential fields such as optoelectronic nanodevices, functional composites, hydrogen accumulators, electrically insulating substrates perfectly matching the CNT, and graphene lattices. This review gives an introduction to the rich BN nanotube/nanosheet field, including the latest achievements in the synthesis, structural analyses, and property evaluations, and presents the purpose and significance of this direction in the light of the general nanotube/nanosheet developments.

Vertically aligned boron nitride nanosheets: chemical vapor synthesis, ultraviolet light emission, and superhydrophobicity

Boron nitride (BN) is a promising semiconductor with a wide band gap ( approximately 6 eV). Here, we report the synthesis of vertically aligned BN nanosheets (BNNSs) on silicon substrates by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition from a gas mixture of BF(3)-N(2)-H(2). The size, shape, thickness, density, and alignment of the BNNSs were well-controlled by appropriately changing the growth conditions. With changing the gas flow rates of BF(3) and H(2) as well as their ratio, the BNNSs evolve from three-dimensional with branches to two-dimensional with smooth surface and their thickness changes from 20 to below 5 nm. The growth of the BNNSs rather than uniform granular films is attributed to the particular chemical properties of the gas system, mainly the strong etching effect of fluorine. The alignment of the BNNSs is possibly induced by the electrical field generated in plasma sheath. Strong UV light emission with a broad band ranging from 200 to 400 nm and superhydrophobicity with contact angles over 150 degrees were obtained for the vertically aligned BNNSs. The present BNNSs possess the properties complementary to carbon nanosheets such as intrinsically semiconducting, high temperature stability, and high chemical inertness and may find applications in ultraviolet nanoelectronics, catalyst supports, electron field emission, and self-cleaning coatings, etc., especially those working at high temperature and in harsh environments.

The fabrication of cubic boron nitride nanocone and nanopillar arrays via reactive ion etching

High-density (2 x 10(9) cm(-2)) uniform arrays of cubic boron nitride (cBN) nanocones and nanopillars with a high aspect ratio were fabricated by employing sequential growth and bias-assisted reactive ion etching using gold nano-dots as an etching mask. The mechanism of formation of the nanopillar and nanocone morphologies was discussed in terms of the relative action of ion bombardment etching and chemical etching due to activated hydrogen plasma constituents. The presented method enabled nanostructuring of cBN surfaces over large areas with great uniformity and reproducibility with a controlled aspect ratio. The unique morphology of the nanostructures offers diverse application opportunities in microelectromechanical devices.

Gas adsorption and storage in metal-organic framework MOF-177

Gas adsorption experiments have been carried out on a zinc benzenetribenzoate metal-organic framework material, MOF-177. Hydrogen adsorption on MOF-177 at 298 K and 10 MPa gives an adsorption capacity of approximately 0.62 wt %, which is among the highest hydrogen storage capacities reported in porous materials at ambient temperatures. The heats of adsorption for H2 on MOF-177 were -11.3 to -5.8 kJ/mol. By adding a H2 dissociating catalyst and using our bridge building technique to build carbon bridges for hydrogen spillover, the hydrogen adsorption capacity in MOF-177 was enhanced by a factor of approximately 2.5, to 1.5 wt % at 298 K and 10 MPa, and the adsorption was reversible. N2 and O2 adsorption measurements showed that O2 was adsorbed more favorably than N2 on MOF-177 with a selectivity of approximately 1.8 at 1 atm and 298 K, which makes MOF-177 a promising candidate for air separation. The isotherm was linear for O2 while being concave for N2. Water vapor adsorption studies indicated that MOF-177 adsorbed up to approximately 10 wt % H2O at 298 K. The framework structure of MOF-177 was not stable upon H2O adsorption, which decomposed after exposure to ambient air in 3 days. All the results suggested that MOF-177 could be a potentially promising material for gas separation and storage applications at ambient temperature (under dry conditions or with predrying).

High-Enthalpy Hydrogen Adsorption in Cation-Exchanged Variants of the Microporous Metal−Organic Framework Mn3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(CH3OH)10]2

Exchange of the guest Mn2+ ions in Mn3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(CH3OH)10]2 (1-Mn2+; BTT=1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate) with selected cations results in the formation of isostructural framework compounds 1-M (M=Li+, Cu+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+). Similar to the parent compound, the new microporous materials are stable to desolvation and exhibit a high H2 storage capacity, ranging from 2.00 to 2.29 wt % at 77 K and 900 torr. Measurements of the isosteric heat of adsorption at zero coverage reveal a difference of 2 kJ/mol between the weakest and strongest H2-binding materials, which is attributed to variations in the strength of interaction between H2 molecules and unsaturated metal centers within each framework. The Co2+-exchanged compound, 1-Co2+, exhibits an initial enthalpy of adsorption of 10.5 kJ/mol, the highest yet observed for a microporous metal-organic framework.

Mixed-Valence Iron(II, III) Trimesates with Open Frameworks Modulated by Solvents

Solvothermal reactions with different solvents produced two iron trimesates [Fe2(H2O)2(BTC)4/3]Cl x 4.5(DMF) (1) and [Fe4Cl(BTC)8/3]Cl2 x H2O x 2.5(DEF) (2) (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, DMF = N,N'-dimethylformamide, DEF = N,N'-diethylformamide). The framework of 1 is a (3,4)-connected net constructed from mixed-valence paddlewheel Fe2(II, III) units and BTC linkers, while the framework of 2 is a (3,8)-connected net built from mixed-valence square-planar Fe4(III, III, III, II) units and BTC linkers. The large volume inside the framework of 1 (or 2) is occupied by disordered Cl- anions and guest DMF (or DEF) molecules. The mixed-valence character of the frameworks of 1 and 2 was confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy studies. The active electronic property of iron cations may be the origin of the variability of the iron-organic frameworks, which are readily affected by some synthetic factors, such as solvents. Magnetic studies reveal that there are antiferromagnetic exchange interactions among the Fe atoms in 1 and 2. Ion-exchange studies for 1 show that the Cl- anions inside the framework of 1 can be exchanged by CNS- anions.

Discovery, Synthesis, and Characterization of an Isomeric Coordination Polymer with Pillared Kagome Net Topology

A topological isomer based on Zn2 paddlewheel, dicarboxylate, and diamine ligands is synthesized by solvothermal methods after careful modulation of the reaction conditions. The new framework is characterized by a pillared Kagome net topology and possesses a sustainable pore structure with high surface area (approximately 2400 m2/g) and large hexagonal channels (approximately 15 A).

Argon adsorption on Cu3(benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate)2(H2O)3 metal-organic framework

Using volumetric adsorption techniques, we have measured the adsorption of argon on Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3, (BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate), a microporous metal-organic framework structure, at temperatures between 66 and 143 K. In addition to the experiments, we have used Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the adsorption isotherm of argon at 87 K. Our experimental and theoretical results are compared to those of previous studies. The experiments were performed using a high density of points, allowing us to obtain, in detail, the isosteric heat's coverage dependence. Our values from the simulations are in reasonable agreement with those obtained in the experiments.

Three-Dimensional Porous Coordination Polymer Functionalized with Amide Groups Based on Tridentate Ligand: Selective Sorption and Catalysis

To create a functionalized porous compound, amide group is used in porous framework to produce attractive interactions with guest molecules. To avoid hydrogen-bond formation between these amide groups our strategy was to build a three-dimensional (3D) coordination network using a tridentate amide ligand as the three-connector part. From Cd(NO3)2.4H2O and a three-connector ligand with amide groups a 3D porous coordination polymer (PCP) based on octahedral Cd(II) centers, {[Cd(4-btapa)2(NO3)2].6H2O.2DMF}n (1a), was obtained (4-btapa = 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid tris[N-(4-pyridyl)amide]). The amide groups, which act as guest interaction sites, occur on the surfaces of channels with dimensions of 4.7 x 7.3 A2. X-ray powder diffraction measurements showed that the desolvated compound (1b) selectively includes guests with a concurrent flexible structural (amorphous-to-crystalline) transformation. The highly ordered amide groups in the channels play an important role in the interaction with the guest molecules, which was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, adsorption/desorption measurements, and X-ray crystallography. We also performed a Knoevenagel condensation reaction catalyzed by 1a to demonstrate its selective heterogeneous base catalytic properties, which depend on the sizes of the reactants. The solid catalyst 1a maintains its crystalline framework after the reaction and is easily recycled.

Sequential Reduction of High Hydride Count Octahedral Rhodium Clusters [Rh6(PR3)6H12][BArF4]2: Redox-Switchable Hydrogen Storage

Cyclic voltammetry on the octahedral rhodium clusters with 12 bridging hydride ligands, [Rh6(PR3)6H12][BArF4]2 (R = Cy Cy-[H12]2+, R = iPr iPr-[H12]2+; [BArF4]- = [B{C6H3(CF3)2}4]-) reveals four potentially accessible redox states: [Rh6(PR3)6H12]0/1+/2+/3+. Chemical oxidation did not produce stable species, but reduction of Cy-[H12]2+ using Cr(eta6-C6H6)2 resulted in the isolation of Cy-[H12]+. X-ray crystallography and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) show this to be a monocation, while EPR and NMR measurements confirm that it is a monoradical, S = 1/2, species. Consideration of the electron population of the frontier molecular orbitals is fully consistent with this assignment. A further reduction is mediated by Co(eta5-C5H5)2. In this case the cleanest reduction was observed with the tri-isopropyl phosphine cluster, to afford neutral iPr-[H12]. X-ray crystallography confirms this to be neutral, while NMR and magnetic measurements (SQUID) indicate an S =1 paramagnetic ground state. The clusters Cy-[H12]+ and iPr-[H12] both take up H2 to afford Cy-[H14]+ and iPr-[H14], respectively, which have been characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Inspection of the frontier molecular orbitals of S = 1 iPr-[H12] suggest that addition of H2 should form a diamagnetic species, and this is the case. The possibility of "spin blocking" in this H2 uptake is also discussed. Electrochemical investigations on the previously reported Cy-[H16]2+ [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6247] show an irreversible loss of H2 on reduction, presumably from an unstable Cy-[H16]+ species. This then forms Cy-[H12]2+ on oxidation which can be recharged with H2 to form Cy-[H16]2+. We show that this loss of H2 is kinetically fast (on the millisecond time scale). Loss of H2 upon reduction has also been followed using chemical reductants and ESI-MS. This facile, reusable gain and loss of 2 equiv of H2 using a simple one-electron redox switch represents a new method of hydrogen storage. Although the overall storage capacity is very low (0.1%) the attractive conditions of room temperature and pressure, actuation by the addition of a single electron, and rapid desorption kinetics make this process of interest for future H2 storage applications.

Hydrogen Storage in a Microporous Metal−Organic Framework with Exposed Mn2+ Coordination Sites

Use of the tritopic bridging ligand 1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate (BTT3-) enables formation of [Mn(DMF)6]3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(H2O)12]2.42DMF.11H2O.20CH3OH, featuring a porous metal-organic framework with a previously unknown cubic topology. Crystals of the compound remain intact upon desolvation and show a total H2 uptake of 6.9 wt % at 77 K and 90 bar, which at 60 g H2/L provides a storage density 85% of that of liquid hydrogen. The material exhibits a maximum isosteric heat of adsorption of 10.1 kJ/mol, the highest yet observed for a metal-organic framework. Neutron powder diffraction data demonstrate that this is directly related to H2 binding at coordinatively unsaturated Mn2+ centers within the framework.

Porous Metal−Organic Framework with Coordinatively Unsaturated MnIISites:Sorption Properties for Various Gases

A 3D porous metal-organic framework generating 1D channels, [Mn(NDC)(DEF)]n (1), has been prepared from the solvothermal reaction of Mn(II) and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2NDC) in diethylformamide (DEF). When DEF molecules coordinating Mn(II), which occupy the channels, are removed from 1 by heating the crystal of 1 at 250 degrees C under vacuum for 18 h, structural change occurs as evidenced by X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Desolvated solid [Mn(NDC)]n (2), which contains coordinatively unsaturated Mn(II) sites, reveals remarkable sorption capabilities for N2, H2, CO2, and CH4 gases and exhibits type I sorption behavior indicative of permanent microporosity.

Microporous Metal−Organic Frameworks Incorporating 1,4-Benzeneditetrazolate: Syntheses, Structures, and Hydrogen Storage Properties

The potential of tetrazolate-based ligands for forming metal-organic frameworks of utility in hydrogen storage is demonstrated with the use of 1,4-benzeneditetrazolate (BDT(2)(-)) to generate a series of robust, microporous materials. Reaction of H(2)BDT with MnCl(2).4H(2)O and Mn(NO(3))(2).4H(2)O in N,N-diethylformamide (DEF) produces the two-dimensional framework solids Mn(3)(BDT)(2)Cl(2)(DEF)(6) (1) and Mn(4)(BDT)(3)(NO(3))(2)(DEF)(6) (2), whereas reactions with hydrated salts of Mn(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+) in a mixture of methanol and DMF afford the porous, three-dimensional framework solids Zn(3)(BDT)(3)(DMF)(4)(H(2)O)(2).3.5CH(3)OH (3), Mn(3)(BDT)(3)(DMF)(4)(H(2)O)(2).3CH(3)OH.2H(2)O.DMF (4), Mn(2)(BDT)Cl(2)(DMF)(2).1.5CH(3)OH.H(2)O (5), and Cu(BDT)(DMF).CH(3)OH.0.25DMF (6). It is shown that the method for desolvating such compounds can dramatically influence the ensuing gas sorption properties. When subjected to a mild evacuation procedure, compounds 3-6 exhibit permanent porosity, with BET surface areas in the range 200-640 m(2)/g. The desolvated forms of 3-5 store between 0.82 and 1.46 wt % H(2) at 77 K and 1 atm, with enthalpies of adsorption in the range 6.0-8.8 kJ/mol, among the highest so far reported for metal-organic frameworks. In addition, the desolvated form of 6 exhibits preferential adsorption of O(2) over H(2) and N(2), showing promise for gas separation and purification applications.

High Hydride Count Rhodium Octahedra, [Rh6(PR3)6H12][BArF4]2: Synthesis, Structures, and Reversible Hydrogen Uptake under Mild Conditions

A new class of transition metal cluster is described, [Rh(6)(PR(3))(6)H(12)][BAr(F)(4)](2) (R = (i)Pr (1a), Cy (2a); BAr(F)(4) = [B{C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)}(4)](-)). These clusters are unique in that they have structures exactly like those of early transition metal clusters with edge-bridging pi-donor ligands rather than the structures expected for late transition metal clusters with pi-acceptor ligands. The solid-state structures of 1a and 2a have been determined, and the 12 hydride ligands bridge each Rh-Rh edge of a regular octahedron. Pulsed gradient spin-echo NMR experiments show that the clusters remain intact in solution, having calculated hydrodynamic radii of 9.5(3) A for 1a and 10.7(2) A for 2a, and the formulation of 1a and 2a was unambiguously confirmed by ESI mass spectrometry. Both 1a and 2a take up two molecules of H(2) to afford the cluster species [Rh(6)(P(i)Pr(3))(6)H(16)][BAr(F)(4)](2) (1b) and [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(16)][BAr(F)(4)](2) (2b), respectively, as characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and, for 2b, X-ray crystallography using the [1-H-CB(11)Me(11)](-) salt. The hydride ligands were not located by X-ray crystallography, but (1)H NMR spectroscopy showed a 15:1 ratio of hydride ligands, suggesting an interstitial hydride ligand. Addition of H(2) is reversible: placing 1b and 2b under vacuum regenerates 1a and 2a. DFT calculations on [Rh(6)(PH(3))(6)H(x)()](2+) (x = 12, 16) support the structural assignments and also show a molecular orbital structure that has 20 orbitals involved with cluster bonding. Cluster formation has been monitored by (31)P{(1)H} and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and mechanisms involving heterolytic H(2) cleavage and elimination of [HP(i)Pr(3)](+) or the formation of trimetallic intermediates are discussed.

Metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high capacity for storage of carbon dioxide at room temperature

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show high CO2 storage capacity at room temperature. Gravimetric CO2 isotherms for MOF-2, MOF-505, Cu3(BTC)2, MOF-74, IRMOFs-11, -3, -6, and -1, and MOF-177 are reported up to 42 bar. Type I isotherms are found in all cases except for MOFs based on Zn4O(O2C)6 clusters, which reveal a sigmoidal isotherm (having a step). The various pressures of the isotherm steps correlate with increasing pore size, which indicates potential for gas separations. The amine functionality of the IRMOF-3 pore shows evidence of relatively increased affinity for CO2. Capacities qualitatively scale with surface area and range from 3.2 mmol/g for MOF-2 to 33.5 mmol/g (320 cm3(STP)/cm3, 147 wt %) for MOF-177, the highest CO2 capacity of any porous material reported.

Structure of Organic and Metal−Organic Networks Based on a Bifunctional m-Terphenyl Carboxylic Acid

A series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based upon the ligand 2,6-diphenyl-1,4-dibenzoic acid [Ph2C6H2(CO2H)2]infinity have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The networks exhibit a variety of topologies and coordination modes at the metal center. The reaction of the ligand with cobalt(II) nitrate or zinc(II) nitrate in methanol/pyridine results in the formation of isostructural 1-D chains [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)M(py)2(MeOH)]infinity, where M = Zn, Co; however, in the presence of ethanol and triethylamine, Zn(NO3)2 reacts to form a 2-D clay-like network, [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)Zn(EtOH)2]infinity. 2-D networks are also formed in similar reactions with copper(II) nitrate or silver(I) nitrate to give [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)(CO2H))2Cu(py)2]infinity, [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)CO2H))2Cu(py)4.2H2O](infinity), and [(Ph2C6H2(CO2)2)Ag2]infinity, respectively. The hydrogen-bonded chains formed by the ligand alone and with 4,4'-dipyridyl are also described.

Significantly Enhanced Hydrogen Storage in Metal−Organic Frameworks via Spillover

The utilization of hydrogen in fuel-cell powered vehicles is limited by the lack of a safe and effective system for hydrogen storage. At the present time, there is no viable storage technology capable of meeting the DOE targets. Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel and potential candidates for hydrogen storage. Until now it is still not possible to achieve any significant hydrogen storage capacity in MOFs at ambient temperature. Here, we report, for the first time, significant amounts of hydrogen storage in MOF-5 and IRMOF-8 at ambient temperature by using a very simple technique via hydrogen dissociation and spillover. Thus, hydrogen uptakes for MOF-5 and IRMOF-8 can be enhanced by a factor of 3.3 and 3.1, respectively (to nearly 2 wt % at 10 MPa and 298 K). Furthermore, the isotherms are totally reversible. These findings suggest that our technique is suitable for hydrogen storage in a variety of MOF materials because of their similar structures as MOF-5 and IRMOF-8.