Ignacio Luz

Metal–organic framework nanosheets in polymer composite materials for gas separation

Composites incorporating two-dimensional nanostructures within polymeric matrices hold potential as functional components for several technologies, including gas separation. Prospectively, employing metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) as versatile nanofillers would notably broaden the scope of functionalities. However, synthesizing MOFs in the form of free standing nanosheets has proven challenging. We present a bottom-up synthesis strategy for dispersible copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate MOF lamellae of micrometer lateral dimensions and nanometer thickness. Incorporating MOF nanosheets into polymer matrices endows the resultant composites with outstanding CO2 separation performance from CO2/CH4 gas mixtures, together with an unusual and highly desired increment in the separation selectivity with pressure. As revealed by tomographic focused-ion-beam scanning-electron-microscopy, the unique separation behaviour stems from a superior occupation of the membrane cross-section by the MOF nanosheets as compared to isotropic crystals, which improves the efficiency of molecular discrimination and eliminates unselective permeation pathways. This approach opens the door to ultrathin MOF-polymer composites for various applications.

Water Stable Zr-Benzenedicarboxylate Metal-Organic Frameworks as Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation

The Zr-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) formed by terephthalate (UiO-66) and 2-aminoterephthalate ligands [UiO-66(NH(2))] are two notably water-resistant MOFs that exhibit photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation in methanol or water/methanol upon irradiation at wavelength longer than 300 nm. The apparent quantum yield for H(2) generation using monochromatic light at 370 nm in water/methanol 3:1 was of 3.5% for UiO-66(NH(2)). Laser-flash photolysis has allowed detecting for UiO-66 and UiO-66(NH(2)) the photochemical generation of a long lived charge separated state whose decay is not complete 300 μs after the laser flash. Our finding and particularly the influence of the amino group producing a bathochromic shift in the optical spectrum without altering the photochemistry shows promises for the development of more efficient MOFs for water splitting.

Selective aerobic oxidation of activated alkanes with MOFs and their use for epoxidation of olefins with oxygen in a tandem reaction

MOFs with Cu2+ centers linked to four nitrogen atoms from azaheterocyclic compounds, i.e., pyrimidine [Cu(2-pymo)2] and imidazole [Cu(im)2], are active catalysts for aerobic oxidation of activated alkanes, such as tetralin, cumene and ethylbenzene. Differences in activity among the two MOFs appear to be related to differences in their ability to decompose the hydroperoxide and to coordinate to the resulting radical ˙OH species. Copper ions in [Cu(im)2] can coordinate by expanding their coordination sphere from 4 to 5 in a reversible way, while in the case of [Cu(2-pymo)2] it results in a displacement of one of the pyrimidine ligands. The MOFs can be used in combination with a silylated Ti-MCM-41 to catalyze the epoxidation of olefins with oxygen by means of a tandem reaction in which the MOF produces cumene hydroperoxide, which is used by Ti-MCM-41 to epoxidize the olefin.

Boosting catalytic performance of MOFs for steroid transformations by confinement within mesoporous scaffolds

Solid-state crystallization achieves selective confinement of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals within mesoporous materials, thereby rendering active sites more accessible compared to the bulk-MOF and enhancing the chemical and mechanical stability of MOF nanocrystals. (Zr)UiO-66(NH2 )/SiO2 hybrid materials were tested as efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of steroid derivatives, outperforming the bulk (Zr)UiO-66(NH2 ) MOF. A clear correlation between the catalytic activity of the dispersed Zr sites present in the confined MOF, and the loading of the mesoporous SiO2 , is demonstrated for steroid transformations.

Synthesis of Fluidized CO2 Sorbents Based on Diamine Coordinated to Metal–Organic Frameworks by Direct Conversion of Metal Oxides Supported on Mesoporous Silica

A general and efficient method for shaping MOFs into fluidized forms has been developed by direct conversion of metal oxides supported on fluidized mesoporous silica. The resulting fluidized MOF hybrid materials containing diamines coordinated at the open metal sites have been studied as CO2 solid sorbents from post-combustion flue gas showing similar performance than their bulk counterparts. These new fluidized MOF hybrid materials can be used for other applications involving fluidized bed reactor configurations, in which MOFs have never been considered.

Transformation of single MOF nanocrystals into single nanostructured catalysts within mesoporous supports: a platform for pioneer fluidized-nanoreactor hydrogen carriers

Well-dispersed nanostructured catalysts along mesoporous materials have been systematically prepared via a novel multistep approach involving either the pyrolysis under nitrogen, the calcination under oxygen or the reduction under hydrogen of MOF nanocrystals decorated with transition metal complexes and previously confined within the mesoporous cavities via novel solid state synthesis. The resulting supported nanostructured catalysts can be composed of metals, metal oxides, heteroatom-doped carbons and combinations thereof depending on the transformation conditions. The pioneering concept of Fluidized-Nanoreactor Hydrogen Carriers has been proposed for the first time by using the resulting nanostructured catalysts within fluidized mesoporous silica.