Establishing ZIF-8 as a reference material for hydrogen cryoadsorption: An interlaboratory study

Hydrogen storage by cryoadsorption on porous materials has the advantages of low material cost, safety, fast kinetics, and high cyclic stability. The further development of this technology requires reliable data on the H2 uptake of the adsorbents, however, even for activated carbons the values between different laboratories show sometimes large discrepancies. So far no reference material for hydrogen cryoadsorption is available. The metal-organic framework ZIF-8 is an ideal material possessing high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability that reduces degradation during handling and activation. Here, we distributed ZIF-8 pellets synthesized by extrusion to 9 laboratories equipped with 15 different experimental setups including gravimetric and volumetric analyzers. The gravimetric H2 uptake of the pellets was measured at 77 K and up to 100 bar showing a high reproducibility between the different laboratories, with a small relative standard deviation of 3-4 % between pressures of 10-100 bar. The effect of operating variables like the amount of sample or analysis temperature was evaluated, remarking the calibration of devices and other correction procedures as the most significant deviation sources. Overall, the reproducible hydrogen cryoadsorption measurements indicate the robustness of the ZIF-8 pellets, which we want to propose as a reference material.

Hydrogen-Stabilized ScYNdGd Medium-Entropy Alloy for Hydrogen Storage

The research on the functional properties of medium- and high-entropy alloys (MEAs and HEAs) has been in the spotlight recently. Many significant discoveries have been made lately in hydrogen-based economy-related research where these alloys may be utilized in all of its key sectors: water electrolysis, hydrogen storage, and fuel cell applications. Despite the rapid development of MEAs and HEAs with the ability to reversibly absorb hydrogen, the research is limited to transition-metal-based alloys that crystallize in body-centered cubic solid solution or Laves phase structures. To date, no study has been devoted to the hydrogenation of rare-earth-element (REE)-based MEAs or HEAs, as well as to the alloys crystallizing in face-centered-cubic (FCC) or hexagonal-close-packed structures. Here, we elucidate the formation and hydrogen storage properties of REE-based ScYNdGd MEA. More specifically, we present the astounding stabilization of the single-phase FCC structure induced by the hydrogen absorption process. Moreover, the measured unprecedented high storage capacity of 2.5 H/M has been observed after hydrogenation conducted under mild conditions that proceeded without any phase transformation in the material. The studied MEA can be facilely activated, even after a long passivation time. The results of complementary measurements showed that the hydrogen desorption process proceeds in two steps. In the first, hydrogen is released from octahedral interstitial sites at relatively low temperatures. In the second, high-temperature process, it is associated with the desorption of hydrogen atoms stored in tetrahedral sites. The presented results may impact future research of a novel group of REE-based MEAs and HEAs with adaptable hydrogen storage properties and a broad scope of possible applications.

Small-pore hydridic frameworks store densely packed hydrogen

Nanoporous materials have attracted great attention for gas storage, but achieving high volumetric storage capacity remains a challenge. Here, by using neutron powder diffraction, volumetric gas adsorption, inelastic neutron scattering and first-principles calculations, we investigate a magnesium borohydride framework that has small pores and a partially negatively charged non-flat interior for hydrogen and nitrogen uptake. Hydrogen and nitrogen occupy distinctly different adsorption sites in the pores, with very different limiting capacities of 2.33 H2 and 0.66 N2 per Mg(BH4)2. Molecular hydrogen is packed extremely densely, with about twice the density of liquid hydrogen (144 g H2 per litre of pore volume). We found a penta-dihydrogen cluster where H2 molecules in one position have rotational freedom, whereas H2 molecules in another position have a well-defined orientation and a directional interaction with the framework. This study reveals that densely packed hydrogen can be stabilized in small-pore materials at ambient pressures.

ZIF-8 Pellets as a Robust Material for Hydrogen Cryo-Adsorption Tanks

Cryoadsorption on the inner surface of porous materials is a promising solution for safe, fast, and reversible hydrogen storage. Within the class of highly porous metal-organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) show high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability. In this study, we selected ZIF-8 synthesized mechanochemically by twin-screw extrusion as powder and pellets. The hydrogen storage capacity at 77 K and up to 100 bar has been analyzed in two laboratories applying three different measurement setups showing a high reproducibility. Pelletizing ZIF-8 increases the packing density close to the corresponding value for a single crystal without loss of porosity, resulting in an improved volumetric hydrogen storage capacity close to the upper limit for a single crystal. The high volumetric uptake combined with a low and constant heat of adsorption provides ca. 31 g of usable hydrogen per liter of pellet assuming a temperature-pressure swing adsorption process between 77 K - 100 bar and 117 K - 5 bar. Cycling experiments do not indicate any degradation in storage capacity. The excellent stability during preparation, handling, and operation of ZIF-8 pellets demonstrates its potential as a robust adsorbent material for technical application in pilot- and full-scale adsorption vessel prototypes.

A squarate-pillared titanium oxide quantum sieve towards practical hydrogen isotope separation

Separating deuterium from hydrogen isotope mixtures is of vital importance to develop nuclear energy industry, as well as other isotope-related advanced technologies. As one of the most promising alternatives to conventional techniques for deuterium purification, kinetic quantum sieving using porous materials has shown a great potential to address this challenging objective. From the knowledge gained in this field; it becomes clear that a quantum sieve encompassing a wide range of practical features in addition to its separation performance is highly demanded to approach the industrial level. Here, the rational design of an ultra-microporous squarate pillared titanium oxide hybrid framework has been achieved, of which we report the comprehensive assessment towards practical deuterium separation. The material not only displays a good performance combining high selectivity and volumetric uptake, reversible adsorption-desorption cycles, and facile regeneration in adsorptive sieving of deuterium, but also features a cost-effective green scalable synthesis using chemical feedstock, and a good stability (thermal, chemical, mechanical and radiolytic) under various working conditions. Our findings provide an overall assessment of the material for hydrogen isotope purification and the results represent a step forward towards next generation practical materials for quantum sieving of important gas isotopes.

Formation of a super-dense hydrogen monolayer on mesoporous silica

Adsorption on various adsorbents of hydrogen and helium at temperatures close to their boiling points shows, in some cases, unusually high monolayer capacities. The microscopic nature of these adsorbate phases at low temperatures has, however, remained challenging to characterize. Here, using high-resolution cryo-adsorption studies together with characterization by inelastic neutron scattering vibration spectroscopy, we show that, near its boiling point (~20 K), H₂ adsorbed on a well-ordered mesoporous silica forms a two-dimensional monolayer with a density more than twice that of bulk-solid H₂, rather than a bilayer. Theoretical studies, based on thorough first-principles calculations, rationalize the formation of such a super-dense phase. The strong compression of the hydrogen surface layer is due to the excess of surface-hydrogen attraction over intermolecular hydrogen repulsion. Use of this super-dense hydrogen monolayer on an adsorbent might be a feasible option for the storage of hydrogen near its boiling point, compared with adsorption at 77 K.

Hydrogen Isotope Separation Using a Metal–Organic Cage Built from Macrocycles

Porous materials that contain ultrafine pore apertures can separate hydrogen isotopes via kinetic quantum sieving (KQS). However, it is challenging to design materials with suitably narrow pores for KQS that also show good adsorption capacities and operate at practical temperatures. Here, we investigate a metal–organic cage (MOC) assembled from organic macrocycles and Zn^II ions that exhibits narrow windows (<3.0 Å). Two polymorphs, referred to as 2α and 2β, were observed. Both polymorphs exhibit D₂/H₂ selectivity in the temperature range 30–100 K. At higher temperature (77 K), the D₂ adsorption capacity of 2β increases to about 2.7 times that of 2α, along with a reasonable D₂/H₂ selectivity. Gas sorption analysis and thermal desorption spectroscopy suggest a gate‐opening effect of the MOCs pore aperture. This promotes KQS at temperatures above liquid nitrogen temperature, indicating that MOCs hold promise for hydrogen isotope separation in real industrial environments.

Chemical Affinity of Ag-Exchanged Zeolites for Efficient Hydrogen Isotope Separation

We report an ion-exchanged zeolite as an excellent candidate for large-scale application in hydrogen isotope separation. Ag(I)-exchanged zeolite Y has been synthesized through a standard ion-exchange procedure. The D₂/H₂ separation performance has been systematically investigated via thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Undercoordinated Ag⁺ in zeolite AgY acts as a strong adsorption site and adorbs preferentially the heavier isotopologue even above liquid nitrogen temperature. The highest D₂/H₂ selectivity of 10 is found at an exposure temperature of 90 K. Furthermore, the high Al content of the zeolite structure leads to a high density of Ag sites, resulting in a high gas uptake. In the framework, approximately one-third of the total physisorbed hydrogen isotopes are adsorbed on the Ag sites, corresponding to 3 mmol/g. A density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that the isotopologue-selective adsorption of hydrogen at Ag sites contributes to the outstanding hydrogen isotope separation, which has been directly observed through cryogenic thermal desorption spectroscopy. The overall performance of zeolite AgY, showing good selectivity combined with high gas uptake, is very promising for future technical applications.

Silver-exchanged zeolite Y was synthesized for efficient and effective separation of hydrogen isotopes above liquid nitrogen temperature via chemical affinity sieving. The highest D₂/H₂ selectivity of 10 is achieved at 90 K combined with a high gas uptake, making zeolite AgY a promising candidate for large-scale deuterium enrichment.

Isotope-selective pore opening in a flexible metal-organic framework

Flexible metal-organic frameworks that show reversible guest-induced phase transitions between closed and open pore phases have enormous potential for highly selective, energy-efficient gas separations. Here, we present the gate-opening process of DUT-8(Ni) that selectively responds to D₂, whereas no response is observed for H₂ and HD. In situ neutron diffraction directly reveals this pressure-dependent phase transition. Low-temperature thermal desorption spectroscopy measurements indicate an outstanding D₂-over-H₂ selectivity of 11.6 at 23.3 K, with high D₂ uptake. First-principles calculations coupled with statistical thermodynamics predict the isotope-selective gate opening, rationalized by pronounced nuclear quantum effects. Simulations suggest DUT-8(Ni) to remain closed in the presence of HT, while it also opens for DT and T₂, demonstrating gate opening as a highly effective approach for isotopolog separation.

Improving Reproducibility in Hydrogen Storage Material Research

Research into new reversible hydrogen storage materials has the potential to help accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy. The discovery of an efficient and cost-effective method of safely storing hydrogen would revolutionise its use as a sustainable energy carrier. Accurately measuring storage capacities - particularly of novel nanomaterials - has however proved challenging, and progress is being hindered by ongoing problems with reproducibility. Various metal and complex hydrides are being investigated, together with nanoporous adsorbents such as carbons, metal-organic frameworks and microporous organic polymers. The hydrogen storage properties of these materials are commonly determined using either the manometric (or Sieverts) technique or gravimetric methods, but both approaches are prone to significant error, if not performed with great care. Although commercial manometric and gravimetric instruments are widely available, they must be operated with an awareness of the limits of their applicability and the error sources inherent to the measurement techniques. This article therefore describes the measurement of hydrogen sorption and covers the required experimental procedures, aspects of troubleshooting and recommended reporting guidelines, with a view of helping improve reproducibility in experimental hydrogen storage material research.

Specific Isotope-Responsive Breathing Transition in Flexible Metal-Organic Frameworks

An isotope-selective responsive system based on molecular recognition in porous materials has potential for the storage and purification of isotopic mixtures but is considered unachievable because of the almost identical physicochemical properties of the isotopes. Herein, a unique isotope-responsive breathing transition of the flexible metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-53(Al), which can selectively recognize and respond to only D₂ molecules through a secondary breathing transition, is reported. This novel phenomenon is examined using in situ neutron diffraction experiments under the same conditions for H₂ and D₂ sorption experiments. This work can guide the development of a novel isotope-selective recognition system and provide opportunities to fabricate flexible MOF systems for energy-efficient purification of the isotopic mixture.

Barely porous organic cages for hydrogen isotope separation

The separation of hydrogen isotopes for applications such as nuclear fusion is a major challenge. Current technologies are energy intensive and inefficient. Nanoporous materials have the potential to separate hydrogen isotopes by kinetic quantum sieving, but high separation selectivity tends to correlate with low adsorption capacity, which can prohibit process scale-up. In this study, we use organic synthesis to modify the internal cavities of cage molecules to produce hybrid materials that are excellent quantum sieves. By combining small-pore and large-pore cages together in a single solid, we produce a material with optimal separation performance that combines an excellent deuterium/hydrogen selectivity (8.0) with a high deuterium uptake (4.7 millimoles per gram).

Exploiting Dynamic Opening of Apertures in a Partially Fluorinated MOF for Enhancing H2 Desorption Temperature and Isotope Separation

Deuterium has been recognized as an irreplaceable element in industrial and scientific research. However, hydrogen isotope separation still remains a huge challenge due to the identical physicochemical properties of the isotopes. In this paper, a partially fluorinated metal-organic framework (MOF) with copper, a so-called FMOFCu, was investigated to determine the separation efficiency and capacity of the framework for deuterium extraction from a hydrogen isotope mixture. The unique structure of this porous material consists of a trimodal pore system with large tubular cavities connected through a smaller cavity with bottleneck apertures with a size of 3.6 Å plus a third hidden cavity connected by an even smaller aperture of 2.5 Å. Depending on the temperature, these two apertures show a gate-opening effect and the cavities get successively accessible for hydrogen with increasing temperature. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) measurements indicate that the locally flexible MOF can separate D₂ from anisotope mixture efficiently, with a selectivity of 14 at 25 K and 4 at 77 K.

Generation of Switchable Singular Beams with Dynamic Metasurfaces

Singular beams have attracted great attention due to their optical properties and broad applications from light manipulation to optical communications. However, there has been a lack of practical schemes with which to achieve switchable singular beams with sub-wavelength resolution using ultrathin and flat optical devices. In this work, we demonstrate the generation of switchable vector and vortex beams utilizing dynamic metasurfaces at visible frequencies. The dynamic functionality of the metasurface pixels is enabled by the utilization of magnesium nanorods, which possess plasmonic reconfigurability upon hydrogenation and dehydrogenation. We show that switchable vector beams of different polarization states and switchable vortex beams of different topological charges can be implemented through simple hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the same metasurfaces. Furthermore, we demonstrate a two-cascade metasurface scheme for holographic pattern switching, taking inspiration from orbital angular momentum-shift keying. Our work provides an additional degree of freedom to develop high-security optical elements for anti-counterfeiting applications.

Systematic Experimental Study on Quantum Sieving of Hydrogen Isotopes in Metal-Amide-Imidazolate Frameworks with narrow 1-D Channels

Quantum sieving of hydrogen isotopes is experimentally studied in isostructural hexagonal metal‐organic frameworks having 1‐D channels, named IFP‐1, −3, −4 and −7. Inside the channels, different molecules or atoms restrict the channel diameter periodically with apertures larger (4.2 Å for IFP‐1, 3.1 Å for IFP‐3) and smaller (2.1 Å for IFP‐7, 1.7 Å for IFP‐4) than the kinetic diameter of hydrogen isotopes. From a geometrical point of view, no gas should penetrate into IFP‐7 and IFP‐4, but due to the thermally induced flexibility, so‐called gate‐opening effect of the apertures, penetration becomes possible with increasing temperature. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) measurements with pure H₂ or D₂ have been applied to study isotope adsorption. Further TDS experiments after exposure to an equimolar H₂/D₂ mixture allow to determine directly the selectivity of isotope separation by quantum sieving. IFP‐7 shows a very low selectivity not higher than S=2. The selectivity of the materials with the smallest pore aperture IFP‐4 has a constant value of S≈2 for different exposure times and pressures, which can be explained by the 1‐D channel structure. Due to the relatively small cavities between the apertures of IFP‐4 and IFP‐7, molecules in the channels cannot pass each other, which leads to a single‐file filling. Therefore, no time dependence is observed, since the quantum sieving effect occurs only at the outermost pore aperture, resulting in a low separation selectivity.

Dynamic Janus Metasurfaces in the Visible Spectral Region

Janus monolayers have long been captivated as a popular notion for breaking in-plane and out-of-plane structural symmetry. Originated from chemistry and materials science, the concept of Janus functions have been recently extended to ultrathin metasurfaces by arranging meta-atoms asymmetrically with respect to the propagation or polarization direction of the incident light. However, such metasurfaces are intrinsically static and the information they carry can be straightforwardly decrypted by scanning the incident light directions and polarization states once the devices are fabricated. In this Letter, we present a dynamic Janus metasurface scheme in the visible spectral region. In each super unit cell, three plasmonic pixels are categorized into two sets. One set contains a magnesium nanorod and a gold nanorod that are orthogonally oriented with respect to each other, working as counter pixels. The other set only contains a magnesium nanorod. The effective pixels on the Janus metasurface can be reversibly regulated by hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of the magnesium nanorods. Such dynamic controllability at visible frequencies allows for flat optical elements with novel functionalities including beam steering, bifocal lensing, holographic encryption, and dual optical function switching.

Facile fabrication of mesoporous silica micro-jets with multi-functionalities

Self-propelled micro/nano-devices have been proved as powerful tools in various applications given their capability of both autonomous motion and on-demand task fulfilment. Tubular micro-jets stand out as an important member in the family of self-propelled micro/nano-devices and are widely explored with respect to their fabrication and functionalization. A few methods are currently available for the fabrication of tubular micro-jets, nevertheless there is still a demand to explore the fabrication of tubular micro-jets made of versatile materials and with the capability of multi-functionalization. Here, we present a facile strategy for the fabrication of mesoporous silica micro-jets (MSMJs) for tubular micromotors which can carry out multiple tasks depending on their functionalities. The synthesis of MSMJs does not require the use of any equipment, making it facile and cost-effective for future practical use. The MSMJs can be modified inside, outside or both with different kinds of metal nanoparticles, which provide these micromotors with a possibility of additional properties, such as the anti-bacterial effect by silver nanoparticles, or biochemical sensing based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by gold nanoparticles. Because of the high porosity, high surface area and also the easy surface chemistry process, the MSMJs can be employed for the efficient removal of heavy metals in contaminated water, as well as for the controlled and active drug delivery, as two proof-of-concept examples of environmental and biomedical applications, respectively. Therefore, taking into account the new, simple and cheap method of fabrication, highly porous structure, and multiple functionalities, the mesoporous silica based micro-jets can serve as efficient tools for desired applications.

Capture of heavy hydrogen isotopes in a metal-organic framework with active Cu(I) sites

The production of pure deuterium and the removal of tritium from nuclear waste are the key challenges in separation of light isotopes. Presently, the technological methods are extremely energy- and cost-intensive. Here we report the capture of heavy hydrogen isotopes from hydrogen gas by selective adsorption at Cu(I) sites in a metal-organic framework. At the strongly binding Cu(I) sites (32 kJ mol^-1) nuclear quantum effects result in higher adsorption enthalpies of heavier isotopes. The capture mechanism takes place most efficiently at temperatures above 80 K, when an isotope exchange allows the preferential adsorption of heavy isotopologues from the gas phase. Large difference in adsorption enthalpy of 2.5 kJ mol^-1 between D₂ and H₂ results in D₂-over-H₂ selectivity of 11 at 100 K, to the best of our knowledge the largest value known to date. Combination of thermal desorption spectroscopy, Raman measurements, inelastic neutron scattering and first principles calculations for H₂/D₂ mixtures allows the prediction of selectivities for tritium-containing isotopologues.

Direct patterning of vortex generators on a fiber tip using a focused ion beam

The realization of spiral phase optical elements on the cleaved end of an optical fiber by focused ion beam milling is presented. A focused Ga⁺ ion beam with an acceleration voltage of 30 keV is used to etch continuous spiral phase plates and fork gratings directly on the tip of the fiber. The phase characteristics of the output beam generated by the fabricated structures measured via an interference experiment confirmed the presence of phase singularity in the output beam. The devices are expected to be promising candidates for all-fiber beam shaping and optical trapping applications.

"Job-Sharing" Storage of Hydrogen in Ru/Li₂O Nanocomposites

A "job-sharing" hydrogen storage mechanism is proposed and experimentally investigated in Ru/Li2O nanocomposites in which H(+) is accommodated on the Li2O side, while H(-) or e(-) is stored on the side of Ru. Thermal desorption-mass spectroscopy results show that after loading with D2, Ru/Li2O exhibits an extra desorption peak, which is in contrast to Ru nanoparticles or ball-milled Li2O alone, indicating a synergistic hydrogen storage effect due to the presence of both phases. By varying the ratio of the two phases, it is shown that the effect increases monotonically with the area of the heterojunctions, indicating interface related hydrogen storage. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance results show that a weak LiO···D bond is formed after loading in Ru/Li2O nanocomposites with D2. The storage-pressure curve seems to favor H(+)/H(-) over H(+)/e(-) mechanism.

Formation of a quasi-solid structure by intercalated noble gas atoms in pores of CuI-MFU-4l metal–organic framework

Ten crystallographically different positions for Xe and eight positions for Kr form a quasi-solid structures within the large-pore metal–organic framework Cu^I-MFU-4l.

Unprecedented adsorption of molecular hydrogen in the porous hydride framework

"Recently the first porous hydride, gamma-Mg(BH4)2, featuring so-called ""borohydride framework"" and capable to store reversibly guest species was discovered [1]. This example clearly shows that the covalently bound hydride anions, such as borohydride, can act as directional ligands, capable to form molecular and polynuclear complexes, as well as framework structures typically occurring in classical coordination chemistry. Various small molecules are reversibly absorbed in gamma-Mg(BH4)2. In this work we show that molecular hydrogen and nitrogen have different adsorption sites in gamma-Mg(BH4)2, leading to different capacities on saturation and to different H2 and N2 BET areas. Only up to 0.66 N2 molecules are adsorbed per Mg atom, but the saturation capacity is double for the smaller hydrogen molecule. Moreover, at higher pressures, the second hydride phase forms with unprecedented hydrogen content of ~22 weight % (!). The density of hydrogen adsorbed into the pores is much higher than in liquid hydrogen, having no analogues among other porous systems. On the technical side, we will illustrate how in-situ diffraction at neutron and synchrotron sources allows to follow adsorption isobars, aiming for extraction of isosteric heats of adsorption directly from diffraction data, as well as for clarifying the microscopic mechanisms in terms of guest-host and guest-guest interactions."

Highly effective hydrogen isotope separation in nanoporous metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites: direct measurement and theoretical analysis

Separating gaseous mixtures that consist of very similar size is one of the critical issues in modern separation technology. Especially, the separation of the isotopes hydrogen and deuterium requires special efforts, even though these isotopes show a very large mass ratio. Conventionally, H/D separation can be realized through cryogenic distillation of the molecular species or the Girdler-sulfide process, which are among the most energy-intensive separation techniques in the chemical industry. However, costs can be significantly reduced by using highly mass-selective nanoporous sorbents. Here, we describe a hydrogen isotope separation strategy exploiting the strongly attractive open metal sites present in nanoporous metal-organic frameworks of the CPO-27 family (also referred to as MOF-74). A theoretical analysis predicts an outstanding hydrogen isotopologue separation at open metal sites due to isotopal effects, which has been directly observed through cryogenic thermal desorption spectroscopy. For H2/D2 separation of an equimolar mixture at 60 K, the selectivity of 12 is the highest value ever measured, and this methodology shows extremely high separation efficiencies even above 77 K. Our theoretical results imply also a high selectivity for HD/H2 separation at similar temperatures, and together with catalytically active sites, we propose a mechanism to produce D2 from HD/H2 mixtures with natural or enriched deuterium content.

MFU-4 -- a metal-organic framework for highly effective H(2)/D(2) separation

The metal-organic framework, MFU-4, possessing small cavities and apertures, is exploited for quantum sieving of hydrogen isotopes. Quantum mechanically, a molecule confined in a small cavity shows an increase in effective size depending on the particle mass, which leads to a faster deuterium adsorption from a H(2)/D(2) isotope mixture.

Influence of [Mo6Br8F6]2- cluster unit inclusion within the mesoporous solid MIL-101 on hydrogen storage performance

The inclusion of (TBA)(2)Mo(6)Br(8)F(6) (TBA = tetrabutylammonium) containing [Mo(6)Br(8)F(6)](2-) cluster units within the pores of the mesoporous chromium carboxylate MIL-101 (MIL stand for Materials from Institut Lavoisier) has been studied. X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, solid-state NMR, and infrared spectroscopy have evidenced the successful loading of the cluster. In a second step, the hydrogen sorption properties of the model cluster loaded metal organic framework (MOF) system have been analyzed and compared to those of the pure MOF sample, through a combination of adsorption isotherms (77 K, room temperature), thermal desorption spectroscopy, and calorimetry (calculated and experimental) in order to evaluate the hydrogen storage efficiency of the cluster loading.

Nanoscale imaging using deep ultraviolet digital holographic microscopy

A deep ultraviolet off-axis digital holographic microscope (DHM) is presented. The microscope has been arranged with as least as possible optical elements in the imaging path to avoid aberration due to the non-perfect optical elements. A high resolution approach has been implemented in the setup using oblique illumination to overcome the limitation introduced by the optical system. To examine the resolution of the system a nano-structured template has been designed and the result confirms the submicron and nanoscale resolution of the arranged DHM setup.

A high heat of adsorption for hydrogen in magnesium formate

The hydrogen adsorption and desorption properties of a microporous metal-organic framework, magnesium formate, are investigated. The material has channel-like pores of approximately 3.4 A diameter. The pore size is below the kinetic diameter of nitrogen and causes a breakdown of the linear relationship between maximum hydrogen uptake and specific surface area measured by nitrogen adsorption. From the experimental isotherms the isosteric heat of adsorption for hydrogen is calculated with very high accuracy over a wide range of surface coverage, up to 80 %. The isosteric heat of adsorption is 6.5-7 kJ mol(-1) which is one of the highest values ever observed over the whole range of surface coverage.

Planar metamaterial analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency for plasmonic sensing

We experimentally demonstrate a planar metamaterial analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency at optical frequencies. The structure consists of an optically bright dipole antenna and an optically dark quadrupole antenna, which are cut-out structures in a thin gold film. A pronounced coupling-induced reflectance peak is observed within a broad resonance spectrum. A metamaterial sensor based on these coupling effects is experimentally demonstrated and yields a sensitivity of 588 nm/RIU and a figure of merit of 3.8.

Confinement of MgH2 nanoclusters within nanoporous aerogel scaffold materials

Nanoparticles of magnesium hydride were embedded in nanoporous carbon aerogel scaffold materials in order to explore the kinetic properties of hydrogen uptake and release. A new modified procedure for the synthesis of magnesium hydride nanoparticles is presented. The procedure makes use of monoliths (approximately 0.4 cm(3)) of two distinct types of nanoporous resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon aerogels loaded with dibutylmagnesium, MgBu(2). Excess MgBu(2) was removed mechanically, and the increase in mass was used as a measure of the amount of embedded MgH(2). Energy-dispersive spectrometry revealed that MgH(2) was uniformly distributed within the aerogel material. In situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction showed that MgBu(2) transformed directly to MgH(2) at T approximately 137 degrees C and p(H(2)) = 50 bar. Two distinct aerogel samples, denoted X1 and X2, with pore volumes of 1.27 and 0.65 mL/g and average pore sizes of 22 and 7 nm, respectively, were selected. In these samples, the uptake of magnesium hydride was found to be proportional to the pore volume, and aerogels X1 and X2 incorporated 18.2 and 10.0 wt % of MgH(2), respectively. For the two samples, the volumetric MgH(2) uptake was similar, approximately 12 vol %. The hydrogen storage properties of nanoconfined MgH(2) were studied by Sieverts' measurements and thermal desorption spectroscopy, which clearly demonstrated that the dehydrogenation kinetics of the confined hydride depends on the pore size distribution of the scaffold material; that is, smaller pores mediated faster desorption rates possibly due to a size reduction of the confined magnesium hydride.