Monique A. van der Veen

NH2-MIL-53(Al): A High-Contrast Reversible Solid-State Nonlinear Optical Switch

The metal-organic framework NH(2)-MIL-53(Al) is the first solid-state material displaying nonlinear optical switching due to a conformational change upon breathing. A switching contrast of at least 38 was observed. This transition originates in the restrained linker mobility in the very narrow pore configuration.

Controlled partial interpenetration in metal–organic frameworks

Interpenetration, the entwining of multiple lattices, is a common phenomenon in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Typically, in interpenetrated MOFs the sub-lattices are fully occupied. Here we report a family of MOFs in which one sub-lattice is fully occupied and the occupancy level of the other can be controlled during synthesis to produce frameworks with variable levels of partial interpenetration. We also report an ‘autocatenation’ process, a transformation of non-interpenetrated lattices into doubly interpenetrated frameworks via progressively higher degrees of interpenetration that involves no external reagents. Autocatenation maintains crystallinity and can be triggered either thermally or by shear forces. The ligand used to construct these MOFs is chiral, and both racemic and enantiopure partially interpenetrated frameworks can be accessed. X-ray diffraction, nonlinear optical microscopy and theoretical calculations offer insights into the structures and dynamic behaviour of these materials and the growth mechanisms of interpenetrated MOFs. Interpenetration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a common phenomenon, in which a structure consists of two or more identical, entangled sub-lattices. Now, MOFs with variable, fractional degrees of occupancy of one of two sub-lattices have been prepared. The extent of interpenetration can be controlled either during synthesis or by autocatenation, a framework rearrangement process.

Electronic origins of photocatalytic activity in d 0 metal organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing d0 metals such as NH2-MIL-125(Ti), NH2-UiO-66(Zr) and NH2-UiO-66(Hf) are among the most studied MOFs for photocatalytic applications. Despite structural similarities, we demonstrate that the electronic properties of these MOFs are markedly different. As revealed by quantum chemistry, EPR measurements and transient absorption spectroscopy, the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied orbitals of NH2-MIL-125(Ti) promote a long lived ligand-to-metal charge transfer upon photoexcitation, making this material suitable for photocatalytic applications. In contrast, in case of UiO materials, the d-orbitals of Zr and Hf, are too low in binding energy and thus cannot overlap with the π* orbital of the ligand, making both frontier orbitals localized at the organic linker. This electronic reconfiguration results in short exciton lifetimes and diminishes photocatalytic performance. These results highlight the importance of orbital contributions at the band edges and delineate future directions in the development of photo-active hybrid solids.

Water adsorption behaviour of CAU-10-H: a thorough investigation of its structure–property relationships

Aluminium isophthalate CAU-10-H [Al(OH)(benzene-1,3-dicarboxylate)]·nH2O exhibits water adsorption characteristics which make it a promising adsorbent for application in heat-exchange processes. Herein we prepared a stable coating of this MOF and evaluated its long-term stability under closed-cycle conditions for 10 000 water adsorption and desorption cycles, which are typical lifetimes for adsorption heat storage (AHS) applications. No degradation of the adsorption capacity could be observed which makes CAU-10-H the most stable MOF under these humid cycling conditions reported until now. Moreover, thermophysical properties like thermal conductivity and heat of adsorption were directly measured. In order to identify the structural features associated with the adsorption behaviour, the structural differences between the dry and the water loaded CAU-10-H were studied by Rietveld refinements and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. The observed transition of space group symmetry from I41 to I41/amd between the humid and dry forms is induced by the adsorption/desorption of water into/out of the MOF channels. This originates from a torsional motion around the C–C bond between the carboxylate groups and the aromatic ring in half of the linker molecules. These observations are in excellent agreement with molecular dynamics simulations which confirm the energetic benefit of this transition.

Localization of p-nitroaniline chains inside zeolite ZSM-5 with second-harmonic generation microscopy.

For the first time, second-harmonic generation microscopy (SHGM) has been employed to study zeolites. Large ZSM-5 crystals filled with p-nitroaniline (PNA) dipoles have been visualized. It is shown that SHGM can discriminate between the straight b-pores and the sinusoidal a-pores of this zeolite, thus revealing the intergrown structure of these crystals. Moreover, it is shown that dipole chains are formed not only in the b-pores but also in the a-pores. PNA only assembles into dipole chains of parallel orientation in those pores that are directly accessible from the outer surface. The area in which this PNA ordering prevails is limited to a strip near the outer surface of the zeolite crystal. A rationalization for these two observations is offered.

Point Group Symmetry Determination via Observables Revealed by Polarized Second-Harmonic Generation Microscopy: (2) Applications

We present a methodology based on polarization-controlled second-harmonic generation microscopy that allows one to determine the point group symmetry of noncentrosymmetric structures in situ and in vivo in complex systems regardless of the occurrence of periodicity. Small, randomly oriented structures suffice for the analysis, which is based on simple recognition of observables in four tests. These can be performed in any standard SHG-microscope that allows polarization control of the incident and detected light. The method is resilient to birefringence and light dispersion.

Organic Linker Defines the Excited-State Decay of Photocatalytic MIL-125(Ti)-Type Materials.

Recently, MIL-125(Ti) and NH2 -MIL-125(Ti), two titanium-based metal-organic frameworks, have attracted significant research attention in the field of photocatalysis for solar fuel generation. This work reveals that the differences between these structures are not only based on their light absorption range but also on the decay profile and topography of their excited states. In contrast to MIL-125(Ti), NH2 -MIL-125(Ti) shows markedly longer lifetimes of the charge-separated state, which improves photoconversion by the suppression of competing decay mechanisms. We used spectroelectrochemistry and ultrafast spectroscopy to demonstrate that upon photoexcitation in NH2 -MIL-125(Ti) the electron is located in the Ti-oxo clusters and the hole resides on the aminoterephthalate unit, specifically on the amino group. The results highlight the role of the amino group in NH2 -MIL-125(Ti), the electron donation of which extends the lifetime of the photoexcited state substantially.

In situ orientation-sensitive observation of molecular adsorption on a liquid/zeolite interface by second-harmonic generation.

The inherently surface-specific technique of second-harmonic generation was employed to probe the adsorption of an organic molecule, a hemicyanine dye, on b-oriented silicalite-1 films in situ. Measurements were performed in a purpose-built cell for solution experiments. By measuring at two different polarization combinations of the fundamental and second-harmonic light, the orientation of the adsorbed molecules was measured continuously. It has been observed that the adsorbed molecules gradually align themselves with the straight pores of the zeolite crystallites, thus adsorbing into the pores.

Nonlinear optical enhancement caused by a higher order multipole mode of metallic triangles

We describe a nonlinear optical study of gold triangles that exploits a higher order plasmonic resonance. A comprehensive nonlinear optical characterisation was performed both by second harmonic generation (SHG) and two photon fluorescence spectroscopy (2PF). We demonstrate and explain the enhancement of the coherent and incoherent nonlinear optical emission by a higher order multipolar mode of the plasmonic structure. The peculiarities of the mode shape and its influence on intensity and polarisation of the nonlinear signal are experimentally and numerically confirmed.

The Use of Second‐Harmonic Generation to Study Diffusion through Films under a Liquid Phase

Knowledge of the diffusion of chemicals through buried films is important for a wide variety of systems--from sensing to drug delivery. Herein, we show that second-harmonic generation (SHG) can be used to follow the diffusion through a thin film buried under a liquid in situ. More specifically, the diffusion of 4-(4-diethylaminostyryl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide through zeolite precursor films of different thickness is followed. The diffusion coefficients are calculated according to Ficks law.