Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) may effectively be described as a large extended inorganic-organic hybrid surface, organised in 3D through open micropores. As such they afford an unparalleled platform for generating and engineering functional interfaces between the MOF matrix and intrinsic or extrinsic guest molecules, ions, particles, etc. Through such intimate interface engineering on the atomistic scale gives rise to unprecedented properties, which may be exploited for sustainability applications.

MOFs are porous crystalline inorganic-organic hybrid materials with tuneable chemistry and textural properties. [1] We have previously demonstrated that the interaction of small molecules [2], metal atoms [3] and metal nanoclusters [4] may result in altering the properties of the guests. This change consequently can be exploited to tune the properties of the guest for particular functions, such as applications for sustainability, of which a few examples will be given.

MOFs with pore sizes near and below 1 nm (UiO-66, ZIF-8) have been synthesised and functionalised directly or post-synthetically by grafting various functional groups on the organic linker and/or embedding metal nanoclusters in their pores. The samples were screened for their interaction with reactants and electrolytes to uncover the relevant host-guest interactions and their impact on the materials’ function.

I will be reviewing our latest results on MOFs’ potential applications for sustainability as heterogenous catalysts for small-molecule conversion and solid-state ion conductors.

Through the precise engineering of the large interface between a MOF matrix and guests, particular and unique properties may be given rise to, including specific catalytic performances in the conversion of small molecules and the mobility of ionic species.

This flexible approach holds promise for the effective fine tuning of specific properties desirable in energy conversion and storage, as well as environmental processes.
All interested persons are invited

About the speaker

Petra Ágota Szilágyi
Professor at the University of Oslo, Department of Chemistry/Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Sem Sælends vei 26, 0371 Oslo, Norway

p.a.szilagyi@kjemi.uio.no

References

S. Kitagawa, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 43, 2334 (2004)

E. Callini, et al., Chem. Sci, 6, 666 (2016)

D. E. Coupry, et al., Chem. Commun. 52, 5175 (2016)

P. Á. Szilágyi, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 5, 15559 (2017)

S. Hérou et al., Sci. Reports 14, #14529 (2024)

Acknowledgements

This work has been sponsored by NFR, JSPS, EU ERC Synergy, EPSRC, EU MSCA-DN.