Tailoring adsorption induced switchability of a pillared layer MOF by crystal size engineering
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Contributors
Abstract
The pillared layer framework DUT-8(Zn) (Zn2(2,6-ndc)2(dabco), 2,6-ndc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane, DUT = Dresden University of Technology) is a prototypical switchable MOF, showing characteristic adsorption and desorption induced open phase (op) to closed phase (cp) transformation associated with huge changes in cell volume. We demonstrate switchability strongly depends on a framework-specific critical particle size (dcrit). Superposed, the solvent removal process (pore desolvation stress contracting the framework) significantly controls the cp/op ratio after desolvation and, subsequently, the adsorption induced switchability characteristics of the system. After desolvation, the dense cp phase of DUT-8(Zn) shows no adsorption-induced reopening and therefore is non-porous for N2 at 77 K and CO2 at 195 K. However, polar molecules with a higher adsorption enthalpy, such as chloromethane at 249 K and dichloromethane (DCM) at 298 K can reopen the macro-sized crystals upon adsorption. For macro-sized particles, the outer surface energy is negligible and only the type of metal (Zn, Co, Ni) controls the DCM-induced gate opening pressure. The node hinge stiffness increases from Zn to Ni as confirmed by DFT calculations, X-ray crystal structural analysis, and low frequency Raman spectroscopy. This softer Zn-based node hinges and overall increased stabilization of cp vs. op phase shift the critical particle size at which switchability starts to become suppressed to even lower values (dcrit < 200 nm) as compared to the Ni-based system (dcrit ≈ 500 nm). Hence, the three factors affecting switchability (energetics of the empty host, (Eop-Ecp) (I), particle size (II), and desolvation stress (III)) appear to be of the same order of magnitude and should be considered collectively, not individually.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 538-549 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | CrystEngComm |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Jan 2021 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |