Thermal Shrinkage Behavior of Metal–Organic Frameworks

Thermal treatment of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as a post‐treatment approach has grown in popularity and resulted in various MOF‐derived materials. However, the widely used extreme thermolytic conditions (usually above 500 °C) lead to degradation in the well‐defined MOFs intrinsic properties. This work demonstrates that MIL‐101 calcined at medium‐temperature range (200–280 °C) partially breaks the coordination bonds that can introduce more accessible active sites, exhibiting a 10‐fold increase in oxidation activity while retaining its intrinsic structure and porosity. Another fascinating feature of MIL‐101 calcined in this temperature range is their temperature‐dependent shrinkage behavior, which is also found in many other types of MOFs. Based on different shrinkage ratios of various MOFs, yolk–shell MOFs@MOFs structures can be constructed through nonsacrificial template method. Overall, the structural and morphological evolution process of MOFs treated in the medium‐temperature range can open new horizons to develop efficient MOFs catalysts and design complex structures.     

Versatile Surface Functionalization of Metal–Organic Frameworks through Direct Metal Coordination with a Phenolic Lipid Enables Diverse Applications

A novel strategy for the versatile functionalization of the external surface of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) has been developed based on the direct coordination of a phenolic‐inspired lipid molecule DPGG (1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐galloyl) with metal nodes/sites surrounding MOF surface. X‐ray diffraction and Argon sorption analysis prove that the modified MOF particles retain their structural integrity and porosity after surface modification. Density functional theory calculations reveal that strong chelation strength between the metal sites and the galloyl head group of DPGG is the basic prerequisite for successful coating. Due to the pH‐responsive nature of metal‐phenol complexation, the modification process is reversible by simple washing in weak acidic water, showing an excellent regeneration ability for water‐stable MOFs. Moreover, the colloidal stability of the modified MOFs in the nonpolar solvent allows them to be further organized into 2 dimensional MOF or MOF/polymer monolayers by evaporation‐induced interfacial assembly conducted on an air/water interface. Finally, the easy fusion of a second functional layer onto DPGG‐modified MOF cores, enabled a series of MOF‐based functional nanoarchitectures, such as MOFs encapsulated within hybrid supported lipid bilayers (so‐called protocells), polyhedral core‐shell structures, hybrid lipid‐modified‐plasmonic vesicles and multicomponent supraparticles with target functionalities, to be generated. for a wide range of applications.     

Hybrid 2D Dual‐Metal–Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Water Oxidation Catalysis

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF‐derived nanostructures are recently emerging as promising catalysts for electrocatalysis applications. Herein, 2D MOFs nanosheets decorated with Fe‐MOF nanoparticles are synthesized and evaluated as the catalysts for water oxidation catalysis in alkaline medium. A dramatic enhancement of the catalytic activity is demonstrated by introduction of electrochemically inert Fe‐MOF nanoparticles onto active 2D MOFs nanosheets. In the case of active Ni‐MOF nanosheets (Ni‐MOF@Fe‐MOF), the overpotential is 265 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 m KOH, which is lowered by ≈100 mV after hybridization due to the 2D nanosheet morphology and the synergistic effect between Ni active centers and Fe species. Similar performance improvement is also successfully demonstrated in the active NiCo‐MOF nanosheets. More importantly, the real catalytic active species in the hybrid Ni‐MOF@Fe‐MOF catalyst are unraveled. It is found that, NiO nanograins (≈5 nm) are formed in situ during oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process and act as OER active centers as well as building blocks of the porous nanosheet catalysts. These findings provide new insights into understanding MOF‐based catalysts for water oxidation catalysis, and also shed light on designing highly efficient MOF‐derived nanostructures for electrocatalysis.     

Engineering Fe–Fe3C@Fe–N–C Active Sites and Hybrid Structures from Dual Metal–Organic Frameworks for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in H2–O2 Fuel Cell and Li–O2 Battery

Dual metal–organic frameworks (MOFs, i.e., MIL‐100(Fe) and ZIF‐8) are thermally converted into Fe–Fe₃C‐embedded Fe–N‐codoped carbon as platinum group metal (PGM)‐free oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts. Pyrolysis enables imidazolate in ZIF‐8 rearranged into highly N‐doped carbon, while Fe from MIL‐100(Fe) into N‐ligated atomic sites concurrently with a few Fe–Fe₃C nanoparticles. Upon precise control of MOF compositions, the optimal catalyst is highly active for the ORR in half‐cells (0.88 V in base and 0.79 V versus RHE in acid in half‐wave potential), a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (0.76 W cm^?2 in peak power density) and an aprotic Li–O₂ battery (8749 mAh g^?1 in discharge capacity), representing a state‐of‐the‐art PGM‐free ORR catalyst. In the material, amorphous carbon with partial graphitization ensures high active site exposure and fast charge transfer simultaneously. Macropores facilitate mass transport to the catalyst surface, followed by oxygen penetration in micropores to reach the infiltrated active sites. Further modeling simulations shed light on the true Fe–Fe₃C contribution to the catalyst performance, suggesting Fe₃C enhances oxygen affinity, while metallic Fe promotes *OH desorption as the rate‐determining step at the nearby Fe–N–C sites. These findings demonstrate MOFs as model system for rational design of electrocatalyst for energy‐based functional applications.     

CelloMOF: Nanocellulose Enabled 3D Printing of Metal–Organic Frameworks

3D printing is recognized as a powerful tool to develop complex geometries for a variety of materials including nanocellulose. Herein, a one‐pot synthesis of 3D printable hydrogel ink containing zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF‐8) anchored on anionic 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxylradical‐mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF) is presented. The synthesis approach of ZIF‐8@TOCNF (CelloZIF8) hybrid inks is simple, fast (≈30 min), environmentally friendly, takes place at room temperature, and allows easy encapsulation of guest molecules such as curcumin. Shear thinning properties of the hybrid hydrogel inks facilitate the 3D printing of porous scaffolds with excellent shape fidelity. The scaffolds show pH controlled curcumin release. The synthesis route offers a general approach for metal–organic frameworks (MOF) processing and is successfully applied to other types of MOFs such as MIL‐100 (Fe) and other guest molecules as methylene blue. This study may open new venues for MOFs processing and its large‐scale applications.     

The Art of Integrated Functionalization: Super Stable Black Phosphorus Achieved through Metal‐Organic Framework Coating

Black phosphorus (BP) is a promising 2D nanomaterial with a great potential in various areas, while its intrinsic instability greatly suppresses practical applications, particularly under harsh conditions (e.g., high temperature). Herein, BP functionalization with Al ion is achieved in an integrated manner through MIL‐53 metal‐organic framework (MOF) coating, which greatly improves both ambient and thermal stability of BP. For the obtained MIL‐53 coated BP (BP@MIL‐53), abundant Al ion within MIL‐53 interacts with the lone pair electrons of BP, and subsequently decreases the BP surface electron density, reducing the reactivity of BP toward O₂ and H₂O. The MOF growth crosslinks the Al ion on the BP surface, and achieves integrated functionalization to withstand the detachment of individual Al ion from the BP surface. The noncovalent bond of BP? Al and highly porous structure of MIL‐53 preserve the physical/chemical properties of BP to the maximum, and render BP@MIL‐53 with super‐stability. This functionalization strategy extends the applications of BP based devices under high temperature conditions. As a proof of concept, BP@MIL‐53 is further utilized as a NO₂ gas sensor under relatively high operating temperatures. The BP@MIL‐53 sensor exhibits fast response, outstanding selectivity, and high recovery dynamic process in contrast to bare BP sensor.     

Engineering a Nanoscale Al‐MOF‐Armored Antigen Carried by a “Trojan Horse”‐Like Platform for Oral Vaccination to Induce Potent and Long‐Lasting Immunity

Vaccination via the oral administration of an antigen faces many challenges, including gastrointestinal (GI) proteolysis and mucosal barriers. To limit GI proteolysis, a biomimetically mineralized aluminum‐based metal–organic framework (Al‐MOF) system that is resistant to ambient temperature and pH and can act synergistically as a delivery vehicle and an adjuvant is synthesized over a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) to act as armor. To overcome mucosal barriers, a yeast‐derived capsule is used to carry the Al‐MOF‐armored OVA as a “Trojan Horse”‐like transport platform. In vitro experiments reveal that the mineralization of Al‐MOFs forms an armor on OVA that protects against highly acidic and degradative GI conditions. However, the mineralized Al‐MOFs can gradually disintegrate in a phosphate ion‐containing simulated intracellular fluid, slowly releasing their encapsulated OVA. In vivo studies reveal that the “Trojan Horse”‐like transport platform specifically targets intestinal M cells, favoring the transepithelial transport of the Al‐MOF‐armored OVA, followed by subsequent endocytosis in local macrophages, ultimately accumulating in mesenteric lymph nodes, yielding long‐lasting, high‐levels of mucosal S‐IgA and serum IgG antibodies. Such an engineered delivery platform may represent a promising strategy for the oral administration of prophylactic or therapeutic antigens for vaccination.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks with Boronic Acid Suspended and Their Implication for cis‐Diol Moieties Binding

Introduction of accessible boronic acid functionality into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) might to endow them with desired properties for potential applications in recognition and isolation of cis‐diol containing biomolecules (CDBs). However, no investigation is found to address this topic until now. Herein, Cr‐based MOFs of MIL‐100 (MIL stands for Materials from Institut Lavoisier) integrated with different pendent boronic acid group (MIL‐100‐B) are reported. This new functional material is successfully prepared using a simple metal–ligand–fragment coassembly (MLFC) strategy with isostructure to the parent MIL‐100 as verified by X‐ray diffraction characterization. The integration and content tunability of the boronic acid group in the framework are confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ¹¹B NMR. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that MIL‐100‐B can evolve into well‐defined morphology and nanoscale size at optimized boronic acid incorporating level. The obtained MOFs exhibit comparable surface areas and pore volumes with parent MIL‐100 and present exceptional chemical stability in a wide pH range. The inherent boronic acid components in MIL‐100‐B can effectively serve as the recognition units for the cis‐diol moieties and consequently enhance the capture capabilities for CDBs. The exceptional chemical stability, high porosity, and good reusability as well as the intrinsic cis‐diol moieties recognition function prefigure great potential of the current MIL‐100‐B in CDBs purification, sensing, and separation applications.     

Preconcentration of Nitroalkanes with Archetype Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as Concept for a Sensitive Sensing of Explosives in the Gas Phase

Thermal desorption based enrichment is a general concept that can enhance any detection system's sensitivity and selectivity. Given their large interior surface area and chemical versatility, archetype metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are selected for preconcentration of explosives and their precursors occurring in low concentrations, and are compared to the state‐of‐the‐art sorbent Tenax TA . Applying inverse gas chromatography (iGC), this study shows that several archetype MOFs, namely HKUST‐1 and MIL‐53 , surpass Tenax regarding their specific retention volume for nitromethane, a typical ingredient in improvised explosives. Using linear hydrocarbons as reference probe molecules, the dispersive surface energy is determined for all MOFs along with the specific contribution of the nitro group for HKUST‐1 and ZIF‐8 . Trends from pulse‐chromatographic iGC‐investigations are mostly followed in breakthrough and thermal desorption experiments using a 1000 ppm nitromethane source. In these experiments, HKUST‐1 proves the peak substance, with enrichment factors being 109‐fold higher than for Tenax , followed by MIL‐53 . In case of HKUST‐1 , this factor is successfully reproduced for a 1 ppm concentration scenario. This shows that archetype MOFs can be suitable or even superior candidates for a sensitive sensing of nitroalkane explosives from the gas phase by a concept of preconcentration.     

Tunable Emission in Heteroepitaxial Ln‐SURMOFs

By using a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) approach, lanthanide‐based, monolithic metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films are fabricated for optical applications. In particular, the LbL approach allows manufacturing of heteroepitaxial Tb(III)‐Eu(III)(BTC) coatings with precise thickness control. Adjusting the Tb(III)‐to‐Eu(III) ratio allows tuning of the emission color. The hetero‐multilayer architecture makes it possible to suppress the direct Tb(III)‐to‐Eu(III) energy transfer, an unwanted phenomenon present in the corresponding mixed‐metal bulk MOF structures. The resulting Ln‐MOF thin films, or Ln‐surface‐anchored MOFs (SURMOFs), are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, infra‐red reflection absorption spectroscopy, UV–vis, and photoluminescence measurements. The results demonstrate that the heteroepitaxial SURMOF architectures carry huge potential for fabricating optical coatings for a wide range of applications.     

Void Engineering in Metal–Organic Frameworks via Synergistic Etching and Surface Functionalization

The rational design and engineering of metal–organic framework (MOF) crystals with hollow features has been used for various applications. Here, a top‐down strategy is established to construct hollow MOFs via synergistic etching and surface functionalization by using phenolic acid. The macrosized cavities are created inside various types of MOFs without destroying the parent crystalline framework, as evidenced by electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The modified MOFs are simultaneously coated by metal–phenolic films. This coating endows the MOFs with the additional functionality of responding to near infrared irradiation to produce heat for potential photothermal therapy applications.     

Metal Organic Framework Crystals in Mixed‐Matrix Membranes: Impact of the Filler Morphology on the Gas Separation Performance

Mixed‐matrix membranes comprising NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al) and Matrimid or 6FDA‐DAM have been investigated. The metal organic framework (MOF) loading has been varied between 5 and 20 wt%, while NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al) with three different morphologies, nanoparticles, nanorods, and microneedles has been dispersed in Matrimid. The synthesized membranes have been tested in the separation of CO₂ from CH₄ in an equimolar mixture. At 3 bar and 298 K for 8 wt% MOF loading, incorporation of NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al) nanoparticles leads to the largest improvement compared to nanorods and microneedles. The incorporation of the best performing filler, i.e., NH₂‐MIL‐53(Al) nanoparticles, into the highly permeable 6FDA‐DAM has a larger effect, and the CO₂ permeability increases up to 85% with slightly lower selectivities for 20 wt% MOF loading. Specifically, these membranes have a permeability of 660 Barrer with a CO₂/CH₄ separation factor of 28, leading to a performance very close to the Robeson limit of 2008. Furthermore, a new non‐destructive technique based on Raman spectroscopy mapping is introduced to assess the homogeneity of the filler dispersion in the polymer matrix. The MOF contribution can be calculated by modeling the spectra. The determined homogeneity of the MOF filler distribution in the polymer is confirmed by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy analysis.     

Synthesis and Functionalization of Oriented Metal–Organic‐Framework Nanosheets: Toward a Series of 2D Catalysts

Synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is based on coordination‐driven self‐assembly of metal ions and organic ligands. However, to date, it remains difficult to adjust the coordination behaviors of MOFs and then control geometric shapes of nanostructures; especially their morphologies in 1D nanofibers or 2D nanosheets have seldom been explored. Here, a facile route at room temperature and ambient pressure is reported for the preparation of copper‐based MOFs with low‐dimensional shapes (i.e., nanofibers, nanorods, nanosheets, and nanocuboids), via thermodynamic and kinetic controls over the anisotropic growth. Importantly, the as‐prepared 2D MOF nanosheets with monocrystalline nature (100% exposed {010} facets) provide a material platform to the fabrication of 2D supported metal nanocatalysts. First, the MOF nanosheets can serve as a self‐templating solid precursor to prepare different CuO and CuO‐Cu₂O nanocomposites, or even Cu metals via thermolysis or reduction under controlled atmospheres. Upon their formation, second, ultrafine noble metal nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Au_0.4Pt_0.6, Au_0.4Pd_0.6, and Au_0.3Pt_0.3Pd_0.4) can be exclusively anchored on the external surfaces of the MOF nanosheets. To show their open accessibility, catalytic activities of the derived catalysts have been evaluated using CO₂ hydrogenation and 4‐nitrophenol reduction in gas phase and liquid phase, respectively.     

Biocatalytic Metal–Organic Frameworks: Prospects Beyond Bioprotective Porous Matrices

Biocatalytic metal–organic framework (MOF) composites, synthesized by interfacing MOFs with biocatalytic components, possessing the unprecedented synergetic properties that are hard to achieve via conventional strategies, represent one of the next‐generation composite materials for diverse biotechnological applications. Research on the applications of biocatalytic MOFs is still in its preliminary stage, with a wide variety of studies focusing on the bioprotection role of MOFs. However, their diversity of building units, molecular‐scale tunability, modular synthetic routes, and more detailed understanding of the heterogeneous MOF‐biointerface could even lead to completely new applications and potentials beyond the current imagination. The most recent progress in biocatalytic MOFs presents ground‐breaking applications in smart and tunable biocatalysis, precision nanomedicine, vaccine and gene delivery, biosensing, and nano‐biohybrids. Herein, the general and advanced synthesis strategies for improving the material properties of biocatalytic MOFs, from tuning biocatalytic activity to framework stability to synergistic properties with other materials, are summarized. Then, the latest state‐of‐the‐art applications of the biocatalytic MOF systems and recent advanced developments that are shaping this emerging field are surveyed. Finally, to define promising research directions, a critical evaluation and future prospects for the potential applications of biocatalytic MOFs are provided.     

Hydrogen Adsorption in Metal–Organic Frameworks: Cu‐MOFs and Zn‐MOFs Compared

Hydrogen adsorption in two different metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MOF‐5 and Cu‐BTC (BTC: benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate), with Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ as central metal ions, respectively, is investigated at temperatures ranging from 77 K to room temperature. The process responsible for hydrogen storage in these MOFs is pure physical adsorption with a heat of adsorption of approximately –4 kJ mol^–1. With a saturation value of 5.1 wt.‐% for the hydrogen uptake at high pressures and 77 K, MOF‐5 shows the highest storage capacity ever reported for crystalline microporous materials. However, at low pressures Cu‐BTC shows a higher hydrogen uptake than MOF‐5, making Cu‐based MOFs more promising candidates for potential storage materials. Furthermore, the hydrogen uptake is correlated with the specific surface area for crystalline microporous materials, as shown for MOFs and zeolites.     

Ultrafast Melting of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Advanced Nanophotonics

The conversion of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into derivatives with a well‐defined shape and composition is considered a reliable way to produce efficient catalysts and energy capacitors at the nanometer scale. Yet, approaches based on conventional melting of MOFs provide the derivatives such as amorphous carbon, metal oxides, or metallic nanoclusters with an appropriate morphology. Here ultrafast melting of MOFs is utilized by femtosecond laser pulses to produce a new generation of derivatives with complex morphology and enhanced nonlinear optical response. It is revealed that such a nonequilibrium process allows conversion of interpenetrated 3D MOFs comprising flexible ligands into well‐organized spheres with a metal oxide dendrite core and amorphous organic shell. The ability to produce such derivatives with a complex morphology is directly dependent on the electronic structure, crystal density, ligand flexibility, and morphology of initial MOFs. An enhanced second harmonic generation and three‐photon luminescence are also demonstrated due to the resonant interaction of 100–1000 nm spherical derivatives with light. The results obtained are in the favor of new approaches for melting special types of MOFs for nonlinear nanophotonics.     

Conductive Metal–Organic Framework Nanowire Array Electrodes for High‐Performance Solid‐State Supercapacitors

The application of conventional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrode materials in supercapacitors is largely hindered by their conventionally poor electrical conductivity. This study reports the fabrication of conductive MOF nanowire arrays (NWAs) and the application of them as the sole electrode material for solid‐state supercapacitors. By taking advantage of the nanostructure and making full use of the high porosity and excellent conductivity, the MOF NWAs in solid‐state supercapacitor show the highest areal capacitance and best rate performance of all reported MOF materials for supercapacitors, which is even comparable to most carbon materials.     

Sublimation‐Vapor Phase Pseudomorphic Transformation of Template‐Directed MOFs for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Using vapor phase transformation to synthesize template‐directed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) shows great promise as an approach to avoid the shortcomings of solution‐based strategies. However, among current research, either the products are confined to zeolitic imidazolate frameworks or the conversion technologies are limited to complex processes such as chemical vapor deposition. Here, a well‐designed sublimation‐vapor phase pseudomorphic transformation method is reported to fabricate vertically aligned nanosheet arrays of NiFe‐based MOFs with a uniform and controlled thickness, derived from NiFe‐layered double hydroxides. Benefiting from the optimized morphology and the high intrinsic activity originating from the synergistic coupling effect of NiFe metal clusters, the as‐prepared MOF electrocatalyst displays a superior oxygen evolution reaction performance, requiring an overpotential of 318 mV at 50 mA cm^?2 with a Tafel slope of only 47 mV dec^?1. Furthermore, a string of metal oxide‐MOFs are obtained, demonstrating the universality of this strategy. By observing the different stages of transformation, the transformation and growth mechanism of MOF crystals is unveiled for the first time. These findings may inspire the exploration and preparation of more species of MOFs, further broadening their application areas.     

Hollow Loofah‐Like N,O‐Co‐Doped Carbon Tube for Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Reduction

Designing a highly active doped‐carbon‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst with optimal stability is a must if large‐scale implementations of fuel cells are to be realized. Developing controllable doping strategies is essential for achieving highly active catalysts. Herein, a facile doping strategy is developed by designing a precursor material with unique core–shell nanostructure, whereby the Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL) metal–organic framework (MOF) and polyaniline are core and shell components, and serving as oxygen and nitrogen precursors, respectively. A novel hollow loofah‐like carbon tube (HLCT) catalyst is derived from precursor material with controllable heteroatom‐doping concentrations through modulating the mass ratio of MOF/aniline. The optimal HLCT‐1/2 catalyst, with a MOF/aniline mass ratio of 1/2, exhibits excellent ORR activity and stability in an alkaline medium. Remarkably, the half‐wave potential (0.88 V) and the current density (4.35 mA cm^?2) at 0.85 V of HLCT‐1/2 catalyst surpass that of commercial Pt/C. Such superior catalytic properties can be attributed to the high specific surface area and abundant active sites of loofah‐shape carbon tubes. Moreover, the O dopant modulates the content and distribution of N species, leading to the enhanced adsorption strength of oxygen molecules on catalyst surface, promoting the activation of oxygen, and thus achieving higher electrocatalytic activity.     

Defect Creation in HKUST‐1 via Molecular Imprinting: Attaining Anionic Framework Property and Mesoporosity for Cation Exchange Applications

Discovering new methods to tailor the physical and chemical properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for their numerous potential applications is highly desired. In this work, engineering defects in MOF via a molecular imprinting approach is developed to endow HKUST‐1, a well‐studied classical MOF, with hierarchical structure, mesoporosity, and anionic framework property. Ringlike anionic HKUST‐1 (HKUST‐1‐R) and a wide variety of metal‐doped isostructural analogues (M/HKUST‐1‐R, M = Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, or Zn) are obtained. The benefits of transforming imprinted HKUST‐1‐R to M/HKUST‐1‐R are further demonstrated for various applications. This synthetic strategy is therefore suitable for rational design and functionalization of MOFs in addition to their morphological control in nanoscale.