DFT-Derived Force Fields for Modeling Hydrocarbon Adsorption in MIL-47(V)

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Adsorption and Diffusion of C8 Aromatic Isomers in MIL-47(V)

The separation of C8 aromatic isomers (oX: o-xylene, pX: p-xylene, mX: m-xylene, and EB: ethylbenzene) remains an enormous challenge in industrial production due to their similar molecular structures and physical properties. Porous materials with suitable pore structures and selective recognition sites to discriminate the slight structural differences of isomers are imminently needed. In this paper, MIL-47(V) with a three-dimensional (3D) grid structure of 10.5 × 10.5 Å2 and a one-dimensional (1D) diamond channel was selected as the adsorbent. However, the mechanism of the adsorption and separation of C8 aromatic isomers in porous materials still needs to be understood. Given the importance of C8 aromatic isomers' confinement in MIL-47(V) for adsorption and diffusion applications, it is important to understand C8 aromatic isomers' behavior in MIL-47(V). Here, we demonstrated from a simulation perspective that metal-organic frameworks MIL-47(V) with one-dimensional (1D) diamond channels can identify C8 aromatic isomers. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have shown that organic ligands with guest response sites of MIL-47(V) can effectively distinguish between C8 aromatic isomers by adaptation to the shape of a specific isomer. MIL-47(V) has high adsorption and an excellent separation sequence between C8 aromatic isomers: oX > pX ≈ mX > EB. Significant differences exist in π-π superposition interactions between C8 aromatic isomers and between C8 aromatic isomers and the skeletons. This phenomenon is mainly caused by the unique pore structure and guest response characteristics of MIL-47(V). This work is identified as a supplementary instruction to experimental research and is expected to provide profound insights into research on developing C8 aromatic isomers' adsorption and separation and theoretical support.

Quantitative Simulations of Siloxane Adsorption in Metal-Organic Frameworks

We present a transferable force field (FF) for simulating the bulk properties of linear and cyclic siloxanes and the adsorption of these species in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Unlike previous FFs for siloxanes, our FF accurately reproduces the vapor-liquid equilibria of each species in the bulk phase. The quality of our FF combined with the Universal Force Field using standard Lorentz-Berthelot combining rules for MOF atoms was assessed in a wide range of MOFs without open metal sites, showing good agreement with dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations. Predictions with this FF show good agreement with the limited experimental data for siloxane adsorption in MOFs that is available. As an example of using the FF to predict adsorption properties in MOFs, we present simulations examining entropy effects in binary linear and cyclic siloxane mixture coadsorption in the large-pore MOF with structure code FOTNIN.

2D MOF-enhanced SPR sensing platform: Facile and ultrasensitive detection of Sulfamethazine via supramolecular probe

Sulfamethazine (SMZ) is widely present in the environment and can cause severe allergic reactions and cancer in humans. Accurate and facile monitoring of SMZ is crucial for maintaining environmental safety, ecological balance, and human health. In this work, a real-time and label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor was devised using a two-dimensional metal-organic framework with superior photoelectric performance as an SPR sensitizer. The supramolecular probe was incorporated at the sensing interface, allowing for the specific capture of SMZ from other analogous antibiotics through host-guest recognition. The intrinsic mechanism of the specific interaction of the supramolecular probe-SMZ was elucidated through the SPR selectivity test in combination with analysis by density functional theory, including p-π conjugation, size effect, electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interaction. This method facilitates a facile and ultrasensitive detection of SMZ with a limit of detection of 75.54 pM. The accurate detection of SMZ in six environmental samples demonstrates the potential practical application of the sensor. Leveraging the specific recognition of supramolecular probes, this direct and simple approach offers a novel pathway for the development of novel SPR biosensors with outstanding sensitivity.

Theoretical Study of NO Adsorption by Hydroxyl-Containing Char with the Participation of Na/K

The study of the effects of Na and K on the heterogeneous adsorption of hydroxyl-containing char with NO is important for the clean utilization of high alkali coal. In this paper, the effects of Na/K atoms on the adsorption of NO on the char surface were investigated at the GGA-PBE level by choosing zigzag type, armchair type, and saturated hydroxyl-containing char structures based on DFT. It was found that the adsorption stability of NO on structures with active sites was greater for sites close to the hydroxyl group than that for sites far from the hydroxyl group. The stability of char doped by Na/K is related to the char structure and the position of functional groups. The most stable Na/K doped structures are Z-OH-2 (E_ads= -350.50 kJ/mol) and A-OH-1-2 (E_ads= -339.17 kJ/mol), respectively. The participation of Na/K can increase the adsorption energy of the three structures with NO, and especially the adsorption energy of saturated char with NO is increased by as much as 5 times. The reason for that is the promotion of the hybridization of the C and NO p orbitals. The comprehensive analysis of electrostatic potential, charge transfer, and front orbitals indicates that the effects of decorated sodium and potassium atoms on the char surface are very similar. This study lays a theoretical foundation for the study of the heterogeneous reduction process.

Visualizing defects and pore connectivity within metal-organic frameworks by X-ray transmission tomography

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have the potential to change the landscape of molecular separations in chemical processes owing to their ability of selectively binding molecules. Their molecular sorting properties generally rely on the micro- and meso-pore structure, as well as on the presence of coordinatively unsaturated sites that interact with the different chemical species present in the feed. In this work, we show a first-of-its-kind tomographic imaging of the crystal morphology of a metal-organic framework by means of transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), including a detailed data reconstruction and processing approach. Corroboration with Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) images shows the potential of this strategy for further (non-destructively) assessing the inner architecture of MOF crystals. By doing this, we have unraveled the presence of large voids in the internal structure of a MIL-47(V) crystal, which are typically thought of as rather homogeneous lattices. This challenges the established opinion that hydrothermal syntheses yield relatively defect-free material and sheds further light on the internal morphology of crystals.

Next-Generation Accurate, Transferable, and Polarizable Potentials for Material Simulations

PHAHST (potentials with high accuracy, high speed, and transferability) intermolecular potential energy functions have been developed from first principles for H₂, N₂, the noble gases, and a metal-organic material, HKUST-1. The potentials are designed from the outset to be transferable to heterogeneous environments including porous materials, interfaces, and material simulations. This is accomplished by theoretically justified choices for all functional forms, parameters, and mixing rules, including explicit polarization in every environment and fitting to high quality electronic structure calculations using methods that are tractable for real systems. The models have been validated in neat systems by comparison to second virial coefficients and bulk pressure-density isotherms. For inhomogeneous applications, our main target, comparisons are presented to previously published experimental studies on the metal-organic material HKUST-1 including adsorption, isosteric heats of adsorption, binding site locations, and binding site energies. A systematic prescription is provided for developing compatible potentials for additional small molecules and materials. The resulting models are recommended for use in complex heterogeneous simulations where existing potentials may be inadequate.

Systematic approach for wettability prediction using molecular dynamics simulations

We present a fast and efficient approach to predict the wettability and spreading of liquids on polymeric substrates. First, a molecular dynamics parameterization is proposed for the calculation of the solubility parameter for 74 compounds including surfactants typically used in inkjet printing. Then, we introduce a molecular geometrical factor to relate the solubility parameter to the surface tension, obtaining estimates in remarkable agreement with experiments. By using a modified Young-Fowkes equation, the contact angles of liquids on various polymeric substrates are determined and their dependence on the hydrogen bonding, dispersion and polar contribution of the solubility parameter are investigated. We find that wetting properties are obtained with a good accuracy when taking into account the hydrogen-bonding and polar interactions in the geometric sum of the solubility parameter. Based on these findings, a 3D wetting space is proposed to evaluate liquids wettability and judge their suitability for specific substrates. This will enable easy formulation of liquids with wettability tailored for a particular surface and application.

The force of MOFs: the potential of switchable metal–organic frameworks as solvent stimulated actuators

The force exerted by flexible metal–organic framework through expansion was experimentally evaluated for MIL-53(Al).

Effects of electrospray mechanisms and structural relaxation on polylactide ion conformations in the gas phase: insights from ion mobility spectrometry and molecular dynamics simulations

Gas-phase polymer ions may retain structural features associated with their electrospray formation mechanisms.

Extension of the QuickFF force field protocol for an improved accuracy of structural, vibrational, mechanical and thermal properties of metal-organic frameworks

QuickFF was originally launched in 2015 to derive accurate force fields for isolated and complex molecular systems in a quick and easy way. Apart from the general applicability, the functionality was especially tested for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of hybrid materials consisting of organic and inorganic building blocks. Herein, we launch a new release of the QuickFF protocol which includes new major features to predict structural, vibrational, mechanical and thermal properties with greater accuracy, without compromising its robustness and transparent workflow. First, the ab initio data necessary for the fitting procedure may now also be derived from periodic models for the molecular system, as opposed to the earlier cluster-based models. This is essential for an accurate description of MOFs with one-dimensional metal-oxide chains. Second, cross terms that couple internal coordinates (ICs) and anharmonic contributions for bond and bend terms are implemented. These features are essential for a proper description of vibrational and thermal properties. Third, the fitting scheme was modified to improve robustness and accuracy. The new features are tested on MIL-53(Al), MOF-5, CAU-13 and NOTT-300. As expected, periodic input data are proven to be essential for a correct description of structural, vibrational and thermodynamic properties of MIL-53(Al). Bulk moduli and thermal expansion coefficients of MOF-5 are very accurately reproduced by static and dynamic simulations using the newly derived force fields which include cross terms and anharmonic corrections. For the flexible materials CAU-13 and NOTT-300, the transition pressure is accurately predicted provided cross terms are taken into account. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficiently Exploring Adsorption Space to Identify Privileged Adsorbents for Chemical Separations of a Diverse Set of Molecules

Although computational models have been used to predict adsorption of molecules in large libraries of porous adsorbents, previous work of this kind has focused on a small number of molecules as potential adsorbates. In this study, molecular simulations were used to consider the adsorption of a diverse range of molecules in a large collection of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. Specifically, 11 304 isotherms were obtained from molecular simulations of 24 different adsorbates in 471 MOFs. This information provides insight into several interesting questions that could not be addressed with previously available data. Highly computationally efficient methods are introduced that can predict isotherms for a wide range of adsorbing molecules with far less computation than traditional molecular simulations. By characterizing the 276 binary mixtures defined by the molecules considered, "privileged" adsorbents are shown to exist, which are effective for separating many different molecular mixtures. Finally, correlations that were developed previously to predict molecular solubility in polymers are found to be surprisingly effective in predicting the average properties of molecules adsorbing in MOFs.

Methane Adsorption in Zr-Based MOFs: Comparison and Critical Evaluation of Force Fields

The search for nanoporous materials that are highly performing for gas storage and separation is one of the contemporary challenges in material design. The computational tools to aid these experimental efforts are widely available, and adsorption isotherms are routinely computed for huge sets of (hypothetical) frameworks. Clearly the computational results depend on the interactions between the adsorbed species and the adsorbent, which are commonly described using force fields. In this paper, an extensive comparison and in-depth investigation of several force fields from literature is reported for the case of methane adsorption in the Zr-based Metal-Organic Frameworks UiO-66, UiO-67, DUT-52, NU-1000, and MOF-808. Significant quantitative differences in the computed uptake are observed when comparing different force fields, but most qualitative features are common which suggests some predictive power of the simulations when it comes to these properties. More insight into the host-guest interactions is obtained by benchmarking the force fields with an extensive number of ab initio computed single molecule interaction energies. This analysis at the molecular level reveals that especially ab initio derived force fields perform well in reproducing the ab initio interaction energies. Finally, the high sensitivity of uptake predictions on the underlying potential energy surface is explored.

Metal–organic frameworks for the removal of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents

Toxic gases can be captured or degraded by metal–organic frameworks.