Engineering micromechanics of soft porous crystals for negative gas adsorption

Guest-induced structural transformation of single-crystal 3D covalent organic framework at room and high temperatures

Soft porous crystals, recognized as the third generation of smart porous materials, can undergo structural deformations in response to external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, and guest molecules. Currently, the dynamic phase transformations of soft porous crystals are predominantly determined through quantitative modeling based on gas adsorption and powder X-ray diffraction. Herein, we investigate the single-crystal-to-single-crystal structural transformation of covalent organic soft porous crystal modeled on COF-300 and identified nine distinct conformational isomers induced by different guest molecules at room and high temperatures. Notably, COF-300 can maintain its single-crystal structure even at 280 °C and efficiently absorbs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in their molten state. The kinetics of structural transformations among conformational isomers are investigated by combining PXRD and theoretical calculations. The structural transformation from a high-energy state to a low-energy state is a rapid, energetically favorable process, while the reverse transformation is a slow process driven by concentration gradients.

Negative gas adsorption transitions and pressure amplification phenomena in porous frameworks

Nanoporous solids offer a wide range of functionalities for industrial, environmental, and energy applications. However, only a limited number of porous materials are responsive, i.e. the nanopore dynamically alters its size and shape in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, light or the presence of specific molecular stimuli adsorbed inside the voids deforming the framework. Adsorption-induced structural deformation of porous solids can result in unique counterintuitive phenomena. Negative gas adsorption (NGA) is such a phenomenon which describes the spontaneous release of gas from an "overloaded" nanoporous solid via adsorption-induced structural contraction leading to total pressure amplification (PA) in a closed system. Such pressure amplifying materials may open new avenues for pneumatic system engineering, robotics, damping, or micromechanical actuators. In this review we illustrate the discovery of NGA in DUT-49, a mesoporous metal-organic framework (MOF), and the subsequent examination of conditions for its observation leading to a rationalization of the phenomenon. We outline the development of decisive experimental and theoretical methods required to establish the mechanism of NGA and derive key criteria for observing NGA in other porous solids. We demonstrate the application of these design principles in a series of DUT-49-related model compounds of which several also exhibit NGA. Furthermore, we provide an outlook towards applying NGA as a pressure amplification material and discuss possibilities to discover novel NGA materials and other counterintuitive adsorption phenomena in porous solids in the future.

Computational Modeling of Reticular Materials: The Past, the Present, and the Future

Reticular materials rely on a unique building concept where inorganic and organic building units are stitched together giving access to an almost limitless number of structured ordered porous materials. Given the versatility of chemical elements, underlying nets, and topologies, reticular materials provide a unique platform to design materials for timely technological applications. Reticular materials have now found their way in important societal applications, like carbon capture to address climate change, water harvesting to extract atmospheric moisture in arid environments, and clean energy applications. Combining predictions from computational materials chemistry with advanced experimental characterization and synthesis procedures unlocks a design strategy to synthesize new materials with the desired properties and functions. Within this review, the current status of modeling reticular materials is addressed and supplemented with topical examples highlighting the necessity of advanced molecular modeling to design materials for technological applications. This review is structured as a templated molecular modeling study starting from the molecular structure of a realistic material towards the prediction of properties and functions of the materials. At the end, the authors provide their perspective on the past, present of future in modeling reticular materials and formulate open challenges to inspire future model and method developments.

From Elementary to Advanced Design of Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks: A User Guide to Deciphering the Reticular Chemistry Toolbox

Here, the fundamental requirements are described for understanding and using topology tools in the design of porous materials, emphasizing the relationships between nets, metal-organic framework (MOF) structures, nodes, and building blocks. Common design approaches are discussed, highlighting prerequisites for the rational design of MOFs, such as those with simple pcu topology through the molecular building block approach, or axial-to-axial pillaring. The importance of highly connected nets and building units is emphasized for achieving structural predictability. The geometrical requirements are detailed for designing highly connected MOFs using more elaborate strategies: MOFs with rht topology through the supermolecular building block approach, tbo topology through the supermolecular building layer approach, and sph topology through a merged net approach The potential for innovation through deviations from default nets, such as introducing a geometry mismatch is addressed, which can lead to novel materials with unique zeolitic structures. Examples include MOFs with sodalite (sod) topology, developed through cantellation or mixed-ligand approaches inspired by ancestral architectural methods, utilizing centring structure-directing agents. Key insights for researchers are provided to facilitate the application and expansion of design strategies to new chemical systems. The only limit is imagination, along with some chemical, physical, and thermodynamical principles, of course.

Amplification of negative gas adsorption in a multivariate framework

The approach of employing multivariate MOFs was used to fine-tune the mechanical properties of the flexible framework DUT-49. In situ XRD, NMR and physisorption studies showed that the partial incorporation of a more rigid linker into the DUT-49 framework enables stabilization of the metastable open pore phase, which led to a two-fold amplification of the expelled gas amount upon the "negative gas adsorption" transition.

Stimulus-Induced Dynamic Behavior Regulation of Flexible Crystals through the Tuning of Module Rigidity

Introducing dynamic behavior into periodic frameworks has borne fruit in the form of flexible porous crystals. The detailed molecular design of frameworks in order to control their collective dynamics is of particular interest, for example, to achieve stimulus-induced behavior. Herein, by varying the degree of rigidity of ditopic pillar linkers, two isostructural flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with common rigid supermolecular building bilayers were constructed. The subtle substitution of single (in bibenzyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid; H2BBDC) with double (in 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid; H2SDC) C-C bonds in pillared linkers led to markedly different flexible behavior of these two MOFs. Upon the removal of guest molecules, both frameworks clearly show reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations involving the cis-trans conformation change and a resulting swing of the corresponding pillar linkers, which gives rise to Flex-Cd-MOF-1a and Flex-Cd-MOF-2a, respectively. Strikingly, a more favorable gas-induced dynamic behavior in Flex-Cd-MOF-2a was verified in detail by stepwise C3H6/C3H8 sorption isotherms and the corresponding in situ powder X-ray diffraction experiments. These insights are strongly supported by molecular modeling studies on the sorption mechanism that explores the sorption landscape. Furthermore, a consistency between the macroscopic elasticity and microscopic flexibility of Flex-Cd-MOF-2 was observed. This work fuels a growing interest in developing MOFs with desired chemomechanical functions and presents detailed insights into the origins of flexible MOFs.

Challenges in modelling dynamic processes in realistic nanostructured materials at operating conditions

The question is addressed in how far current modelling strategies are capable of modelling dynamic phenomena in realistic nanostructured materials at operating conditions. Nanostructured materials used in applications are far from perfect; they possess a broad range of heterogeneities in space and time extending over several orders of magnitude. Spatial heterogeneities from the subnanometre to the micrometre scale in crystal particles with a finite size and specific morphology, impact the material's dynamics. Furthermore, the material's functional behaviour is largely determined by the operating conditions. Currently, there exists a huge length-time scale gap between attainable theoretical length-time scales and experimentally relevant scales. Within this perspective, three key challenges are highlighted within the molecular modelling chain to bridge this length-time scale gap. Methods are needed that enable (i) building structural models for realistic crystal particles having mesoscale dimensions with isolated defects, correlated nanoregions, mesoporosity, internal and external surfaces; (ii) the evaluation of interatomic forces with quantum mechanical accuracy albeit at much lower computational cost than the currently used density functional theory methods and (iii) derivation of the kinetics of phenomena taking place in a multi-length-time scale window to obtain an overall view of the dynamics of the process. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Supercomputing simulations of advanced materials'.

On the role of history-dependent adsorbate distribution and metastable states in switchable mesoporous metal-organic frameworks

A unique feature of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in contrast to rigid nanoporous materials is their structural switchabilty offering a wide range of functionality for sustainable energy storage, separation and sensing applications. This has initiated a series of experimental and theoretical studies predominantly aiming at understanding the thermodynamic conditions to transform and release gas, but the nature of sorption-induced switching transitions remains poorly understood. Here we report experimental evidence for fluid metastability and history-dependent states during sorption triggering the structural change of the framework and leading to the counterintuitive phenomenon of negative gas adsorption (NGA) in flexible MOFs. Preparation of two isoreticular MOFs differing by structural flexibility and performing direct in situ diffusion studies aided by in situ X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and computational modelling, allowed assessment of n-butane molecular dynamics, phase state, and the framework response to obtain a microscopic picture for each step of the sorption process.

One-dimensional alignment of defects in a flexible metal-organic framework

Crystalline materials are often considered to have rigid periodic lattices, while soft materials are associated with flexibility and nonperiodicity. The continuous evolution of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has erased the boundaries between these two distinct conceptions. Flexibility, disorder, and defects have been found to be abundant in MOF materials with imperfect crystallinity, and their intricate interplay is poorly understood because of the limited strategies for characterizing disordered structures. Here, we apply advanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to elucidate the mesoscale structures in a defective MOF with a semicrystalline lattice. We show that engineered defects can tune the degree of lattice flexibility by combining both ordered and disordered compartments. The one-dimensional alignment of correlated defects is the key for the reversible topological transition. The unique matrix is featured with both rigid framework of nanoporosity and flexible linkage of high swellability.

Photoinduced movement: how photoirradiation induced the movements of matter

Pioneered by the success on active transport of ions across membranes in 1980 using the regulation of the binding properties of crown ethers with covalently linked photoisomerizable units, extensive studies on the movements by using varied interactions between moving objects and environments have been reported. Photoinduced movements of various objects ranging from molecules, polymers to microscopic particles were discussed from the aspects of the driving for the movements, materials design to achieve the movements and systems design to see and to utilize the movements are summarized in this review.

Cooperative light-induced breathing of soft porous crystals via azobenzene buckling

Although light is a prominent stimulus for smart materials, the application of photoswitches as light-responsive triggers for phase transitions of porous materials remains poorly explored. Here we incorporate an azobenzene photoswitch in the backbone of a metal-organic framework producing light-induced structural contraction of the porous network in parallel to gas adsorption. Light-stimulation enables non-invasive spatiotemporal control over the mechanical properties of the framework, which ultimately leads to pore contraction and subsequent guest release via negative gas adsorption. The complex mechanism of light-gated breathing is established by a series of in situ diffraction and spectroscopic experiments, supported by quantum mechanical and molecular dynamic simulations. Unexpectedly, this study identifies a novel light-induced deformation mechanism of constrained azobenzene photoswitches relevant to the future design of light-responsive materials.

Two-Dimensional Polymers and Polymerizations

Synthetic chemists have developed robust methods to synthesize discrete molecules, linear and branched polymers, and disordered cross-linked networks. However, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) prepared from designed monomers have been long missing from these capabilities, both as objects of chemical synthesis and in nature. Recently, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization of covalently linked macromolecular sheets. Here we review 2DPs and 2D polymerization methods. Three predominant 2D polymerization strategies have emerged to date, which produce 2DPs either as monolayers or multilayer assemblies. We discuss the fundamental understanding and scope of each of these approaches, including: the bond-forming reactions used, the synthetic diversity of 2DPs prepared, their multilayer stacking behaviors, nanoscale and mesoscale structures, and macroscale morphologies. Additionally, we describe the analytical tools currently available to characterize 2DPs in their various isolated forms. Finally, we review emergent 2DP properties and the potential applications of planar macromolecules. Throughout, we highlight achievements in 2D polymerization and identify opportunities for continued study.

Coupling external and internal pressure for the structural transition of MIL-53(Cr)

Flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have the ability to perform stimulated sudden volume contractions, and thus attract increasing attention for use in potential applications such as: actuators or sensors. Here, the structural transition of MIL-53(Cr) loaded with a high concentration of CH₃OH (CH₃OH) guest molecules, which cause internal pressure due to guest-guest interactions, was investigated. The pressure triggering the structural transition can be enhanced by high guest molecule loadings (1 CH₃OH per unit cell (UC): 5 MPa, empty: 53 MPa, 7 CH₃OH per UC: 90 MPa, and 8 CH₃OH per UC: 280 MPa). The asymmetrical and small distortion of the organic-inorganic connections are the main microscopic characteristic of the structural transition of MIL-53(Cr) with a high CH₃OH loading. The external pressure and the internal pressure, instead of the adsorption of the guest molecules, became dominant in the structural transition of MIL-53(Cr). Current studies showed that the high-pressure response of the flexible MOF structure may broaden the acceptable pressure range in future actuator or sensor applications.

Frustrated flexibility in metal-organic frameworks

Stimuli-responsive flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) remain at the forefront of porous materials research due to their enormous potential for various technological applications. Here, we introduce the concept of frustrated flexibility in MOFs, which arises from an incompatibility of intra-framework dispersion forces with the geometrical constraints of the inorganic building units. Controlled by appropriate linker functionalization with dispersion energy donating alkoxy groups, this approach results in a series of MOFs exhibiting a new type of guest- and temperature-responsive structural flexibility characterized by reversible loss and recovery of crystalline order under full retention of framework connectivity and topology. The stimuli-dependent phase change of the frustrated MOFs involves non-correlated deformations of their inorganic building unit, as probed by a combination of global and local structure techniques together with computer simulations. Frustrated flexibility may be a common phenomenon in MOF structures, which are commonly regarded as rigid, and thus may be of crucial importance for the performance of these materials in various applications.

Massive Pressure Amplification by Stimulated Contraction of Mesoporous Frameworks*

Herein we demonstrate mesoporous frameworks interacting with carbon dioxide leading to stimulated structural contractions and massive out-of-equilibrium pressure amplification well beyond ambient pressure. Carbon dioxide, a non-toxic and non-flammable working medium, is promising for the development of pressure-amplifying frameworks for pneumatic technologies and safety systems. The strong interaction of the fluid with the framework even contracts DUT-46, a framework hitherto considered as non-flexible. Synchrotron-based in situ PXRD/adsorption experiments reveal the characteristic contraction pressure for DUT-49 pressure amplification in the range of 350-680 kPa. The stimulated framework contraction expels 1.1 to 2.4 mmol g-1 CO2 leading to autonomous pressure amplification in a pneumatic demonstrator system up to 428 kPa. According to system level estimations even higher theoretical pressure amplification may be achieved between 535 and 1011 kPa.

What Lies beneath a Metal-Organic Framework Crystal Structure? New Design Principles from Unexpected Behaviors

The rational design principles established for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) allow clear structure-property relationships, fueling expansive growth for energy storage and conversion, catalysis, and beyond. However, these design principles are based on the assumption of compositional and structural rigidity, as measured crystallographically. Such idealization of MOF structures overlooks subtle chemical aspects that can lead to departures from structure-based chemical intuition. In this Perspective, we identify unexpected behavior of MOFs through literature examples. Based on this analysis, we conclude that departures from ideality are not uncommon. Whereas linker topology and metal coordination geometry are useful starting points for understanding MOF properties, we anticipate that deviations from the idealized crystal representation will be necessary to explain important and unexpected behaviors. Although this realization reinforces the notion that MOFs are highly complex materials, it should also stimulate a broader reexamination of the literature to identify corollaries to existing design rules and reveal new structure-property relationships.

Porous flexible frameworks: origins of flexibility and applications

Porous crystalline frameworks including zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have attracted great research interest in recent years. In addition to their assembly in the solid-state being fundamentally interesting and aesthetically pleasing, their potential applications have now pervaded in different areas of chemistry, biology and materials science. When framework materials are endowed with 'flexibility', they exhibit some properties (e.g., stimuli-induced pore breathing and reversible phase transformations) that are distinct from their rigid counterparts. Benefiting from flexibility and porosity, these framework materials have shown promise in applications that include separation of toxic chemicals, isotopes and hydrocarbons, sensing, and targeted delivery of chemicals. While flexibility in MOFs has been widely appreciated, recent developments of COFs and HOFs have established that flexibility is not just limited to MOFs. In fact, zeolites-that are considered rigid when compared with MOFs-are also known to exhibit dynamic modes. Despite flexibility may be conceived as being detrimental to the formation and stability of periodic structures, the landscape of flexible framework structures continues to expand with discovery of new materials with promising applications. In this review, we make an account of different flexible framework materials based on their framework types with a more focus on recent examples and delve into the origin of flexibility in each case. This systematic analysis of different flexibility types based on their origins enables understanding of structure-property relationships, which should help guide future development of flexible framework materials based on appropriate monomer design and tailoring their properties by bottom-up approach. In essence, this review provides a summary of different flexibility types extant to framework materials and critical analysis of importance of flexibility in emerging applications.