Hydrogen storage in microporous metal-organic frameworks with exposed metal sites

Owing to their high uptake capacity at low temperature and excellent reversibility kinetics, metal-organic frameworks have attracted considerable attention as potential solid-state hydrogen storage materials. In the last few years, researchers have also identified several strategies for increasing the affinity of these materials towards hydrogen, among which the binding of H(2) to unsaturated metal centers is one of the most promising. Herein, we review the synthetic approaches employed thus far for producing frameworks with exposed metal sites, and summarize the hydrogen uptake capacities and binding energies in these materials. In addition, results from experiments that were used to probe independently the metal-hydrogen interaction in selected materials will be discussed.     

Tuning Hydrogen Sorption Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Postsynthetic Covalent Modification

Postsynthetic modification is presented as a means to tune the hydrogen adsorption properties of a series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). IRMOF‐3 (isoreticular metal–organic framework), UMCM‐1‐NH₂ (University of Michigan crystalline material), and DMOF‐1‐NH₂ (DABCO metal–organic framework) have been covalently modified with a series of anhydrides or isocyanates and the hydrogen sorption properties have been studied. Both the storage capacities and isosteric heats of adsorption clearly show that covalent postsynthetic modification can significantly enhance the sorption affinity of MOFs with hydrogen and in some cases increase both gravimetric and volumetric uptake of the gas as much as 40 %. The significance of the present study is illustrated by: 1) the nature of the substituents introduced by postsynthetic modification result in different effects on the binding of hydrogen; 2) the covalent postsynthetic modification approach allows for systematic modulation of hydrogen sorption properties; and 3) the ease of postsynthetic modification of MOFs allows a direct evaluation of the interplay between MOF structure, hydrogen uptake, and heat of adsorption. The findings presented herein show that postsynthetic modification is a powerful method to manipulate and better understand the gas sorption properties of MOFs.     

Assembly and application advancement of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials: A review

Owing to the remarkable physicochemical properties such as hydrophobicity, conductivity, elasticity, and light weight, graphene‐based materials have emerged as one of the most appealing carbon allotropes in materials science and chemical engineering. Unfortunately, pristine graphene materials lack functional groups for further modification, severely hindering their practical applications. To render graphene materials with special characters for different applications, graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide has been functionalized with different organic agents and assembled together, via covalent binding and various noncovalent forces such as π–π interaction, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonding. In this review, we briefly discuss the state‐of‐the‐art synthetic strategies and properties of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials, and then, present the prospective applications of organic‐functionalized graphene‐based materials in sample preparation.     

Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)‐Derived Nanoporous Carbon Materials

Metal–organic framework (MOF)‐derived nanoporous carbon materials have attracted significant interest due to their advantages of controllable porosity, good thermal/chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, catalytic activity, easy modification with other elements and materials, etc. Thus, MOF‐derived carbons have been used in numerous applications, such as environmental remediations, energy storage systems (i.e. batteries, supercapacitors), and catalysts. To date, many strategies have been developed to enhance the properties and performance of MOF‐derived carbons. Herein, we introduce and summarize recent important approaches for advanced MOF‐derived carbon structures with a focus on precursor control, heteroatom doping, shape/orientation control, and hybridization with other functional materials.     

Ordered Microporous Layered Lanthanide 1,3,5‐Benzenetriphosphonates Pillared with Cationic Organic Molecules

Novel isomorphous pillared‐layer‐type crystalline lanthanide 1,3,5‐benzenetriphosphonates were prepared with bpy and dbo as organic pillars (LnBP‐bpy and LnBP‐dbo; Ln: Ce, Pr, and Nd). Ab initio crystal structure solution using synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction data revealed that the organic pillars do not exist as neutral coordinating ligands but as cationic molecules. Especially the LnBP‐dbo phases have ordered interlayer space filled with water molecules between the dbo pillars, and the interlayer water is successfully removed by heating under vacuum with slightly distorted but basically retained pillared layer structures. Microporosity of the materials is confirmed by adsorption of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gases. Such microporous layered metal phosphonates pillared with cationic molecules should be unprecedented and should offer new strategies to design ordered microporous materials.     

The review on properties of solid catanionic surfactants: Main applications and perspectives of new catanionic surfactants and compounds with catanionic assisted synthesis

Mixtures of anionic and cationic surfactants display varied aggregate structures. Solid catanionic systems and metaloamphiphilic complexes, amphiphilic host–guest systems, as well as amphiphilic hydrogen bond pairs are a kind of hybrid amphiphiles, all of which self-organize into supramolecular membranes. Amphiphilicity of the supermolecules drives their hierarchical self-assembly. This review mainly discusses the current applications of well-ordered catanionic materials that show a variety of functionalities in material and life science. Widely studied rational molecular design can create self-assembled structures through various noncovalent interactions combined with numerous modification strategies. Possible applications are at early stage to access the entire potential, but may provide new and interesting interdisciplinary directions for further studies.     

A mechanism for water splitting and hydrogen absorbing functions of metal–oxide layered hydrogen storage materials studied by means of ion beam analysis

This review describes a study of catalytic functions of water splitting at the surface and hydrogen gas emitting from the bulk of metal–oxide layered materials as well as hydrogen storage materials as its application by means of the ion beam analysis techniques. First are described a microscopic model for water splitting at the oxide surface and mass balance equations for hydrogen atoms in the bulk. The latter is a mathematical expression of a one‐way diffusion model proposed for an anomalous isotope effect in D–H and H–D replacements of both deuterium (D) implanted into perovskite oxide ceramics by protium (H) in H₂O vapour and the vise versa. The latter model brings about finding of catalytic functions of water splitting at the surface and hydrogen gas emitting from the bulk. Second, experimental results on the anomalous isotope effect are presented and the D–H replacement rates are described in detail. Subsequently are shown results on H₂ gas emission measured with a Bach method, which give a clear evidence for the water splitting and hydrogen gas emitting catalytic functions of the oxide surface. Finally, we present experimental data on the hydrogen absorption and emission characteristics of the metal–oxide layered hydrogen storage materials as an application of the water splitting and hydrogen absorbing catalysts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface perspectives in the biomedical applications of poly(α-hydroxy acid)s and their associated copolymers

Impressive advances in biotechnology, bioengineering, and biomaterials with unique properties have led to increased interest in polymers and other novel materials in biological and biomedical research and development over the past two decades. Although biomaterials have already made an enormous impact in biomedical research and clinical practice, there is a need for better understanding of the surface and interfacial chemistry between tissue (or cells) and biomedical materials. This is because the detailed physicochemical events related to the biological response to the surface of materials still often remain obscure, even though surface properties are important determinants of biomedical material function. In this regard, data available in the literature show the complexity of the interactions (surface reorganization, non-specific/specific protein adsorption, and chemical reactions such as acid-base, ion pairing, ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, divalent-ion bridging) and the interrelationship between biological environments, interfacial properties, and surface functional groups responsible for the biological responses. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of surface and interfacial phenomena at the surface of biomedical polymers, this review focuses on several aspects of current work published on poly(alpha-hydroxy acid)s and their associated copolymers:surface structure-biomedical function relationships;physicochemical strategies for surface modification; and, finally,synthetic strategies to increase biocompatibility for specific in-vivo and/or in-vitro biomedical applications.     

A highly efficient layered double hydroxide catalyst for direct ethoxylation of butyl acetate to oligo‐ethylene glycol butyl ether acetates

A novel synthetic route that directly inserts ethylene oxide into butyl acetate without any labile hydrogen to produce oligo‐ethylene glycol butyl ether acetates is developed using an efficient acid–base bifunctional catalyst. The layered double hydroxide materials, which have structures similar to that of hydrotalcite, are synthesized using co‐precipitation methods. After modification by organic acid, the as‐prepared catalysts exhibit higher butyl acetate conversion and ethylene oxide catalytic activity with narrow ethylene glycol butyl ether acetate adduct distribution. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

二维材料用于电催化析氢的研究进展

电催化水分解因其丰富的原料来源和环境友好被认为是一种有前途的制氢技术. 开发用于电催化析氢反应的高效电催化剂是迫切需要的. 随着石墨烯的兴起, 二维(2D)材料因其独特的物理、 化学和电子特性, 已逐渐成为水电解的潜在候选材料. 本文介绍了二维材料用于电化学水分解产生氢气的最新进展, 概括了二维材料的合成方法, 总结了改善二维材料电化学析氢性能的策略, 讨论了该领域面临的挑战和未来的发展机遇.     

Nano-architecture and material designs for water splitting photoelectrodes

This review concerns the efficient conversion of sunlight into chemical fuels through the photoelectrochemical splitting of water, which has the potential to generate sustainable hydrogen fuel. In this review, we discuss various photoelectrode materials and relative design strategies with their associated fabrication for solar water splitting. Factors affecting photoelectrochemical performance of these materials and designs are also described. The most recent progress in the research and development of new materials as well as their corresponding photoelectrodes is also summarized in this review. Finally, the research strategies and future directions for water splitting are discussed with recommendations to facilitate the further exploration of new photoelectrode materials and their associated technologies.     

Prospect of Sulfurized Pyrolyzed Poly(acrylonitrile) (S@pPAN) Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are one of the most promising next‐generation batteries owing to their ultra‐high theoretical energy density and that sulfur is an abundant resource. During the past 20 years, various sulfur materials have been reported. As a molecular‐scale sulfur‐composite cathode, sulfurized pyrolyzed poly(acrylonitrile) (S@pPAN) exhibits several competitive advantages in terms of its electrochemical behavior. Although it was first reported in 2002 S@pPAN is currently attracting increasing attention. In this Minireview, we summarize its molecular model and explore the correlation between its structure and its exceptional electrochemical performance. We classify the modification strategies into three types, including material improvement, binder, and electrolyte screening. Several research and development directions are also suggested.     

Selective modified SnO2-based materials for gas sensors arrays

An enhancement of selectivity of semiconductor gas sensors, based on nanocrystalline SnO2 is reported. It is shown that modification of the surface of crystallites, forming thick films of conductive sensor materials, with catalytic clusters of gold or oxides of ruthenium, nickel, copper and iron allows selective response of sensors to different gases, such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide and acetone vapor. These selective sensor responses can be obtained in the ranges of gas concentrations close to or below threshold limit values while the working temperature of sensors can be kept below 300 °C. The described approach for modification of selectivity of sensor materials could be used as perspective route in developingselective gas sensors. These results allow us to propose application of obtained materials in electronic nose sensor systems.     

金属-有机骨架材料的改性方法及其光催化制氢应用

能源问题一直是关乎人类命运的重要问题,光催化制氢被认为是有望解决这一问题的潜在途径之一.金属有机框架(MOFs)由于其多孔、高比表面积、带隙可调等特性,在光催化制氢方面得到了广泛关注.我们综述了近些年来在金属-有机骨架材料光催化制氢领域的各种改性方法 ,包括修饰有机连接配体、修饰金属中心、金属纳米粒子沉积、染料敏化与其他功能材料结合等.概括了改性后的MOFs光催化制氢性能,指出了MOFs基光催化制氢存在的问题和可能的解决思路,并展望了MOFs基光催化制氢剂的绿色未来.     

The route to a feasible hydrogen-storage material: MOFs versus ammonia borane

The replacement of fossil fuels is one of the greatest challenges that chemistry and material sciences will have to face in the near future. While hydrogen seems to be the most likely candidate for this, a material able to store the hydrogen itself is sorely needed. Intense research in the past decade has narrowed down the field of possible concepts to two materials: ammonia borane with chemically bound hydrogen atoms and metal-organic frameworks with physisorbed hydrogen molecules. Herein we want to give an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each concept, discuss the challenges that need to be overcome, and try to compare the future capabilities of these two materials.     

溶胶凝法制备LiFePO4正极材料

本文介绍了溶胶凝胶法制备LiFePO4正极材料的基本原理及近几年这一领域的研究进展。对碳包覆活性物质、掺杂和多形态纳米化制备技术三种改性方法以及它们对LiFePO4正极材料性能的提高进行了总结。取得的成效主要有，容量得到提高、颗粒尺寸和碳含量有所减小，热处理过程所需时间大大缩短。文中进一步指出目前存在的若干问题，包括对制备过程的深入认识，产品成本以及环境污染。最后对其商业化的可能性进行了讨论。     

光催化完全分解水制氢研究进展

由完全分解水的特殊性出发,从材料的结构和能带设计以及材料的表面修饰等方面对完全分解水光催化剂的研制及其分解水产氢产氧性能进行了评述.介绍了Z型体系在完全分解水制氢方面的原理,以及目前已经开发出来的几个Z型体系.对光催化完全分解水研究中存在的问题进行了简单分析.     

Routes to Hydrogen Bonding Chain‐End Functionalized Polymers

The contribution of supramolecular chemistry to polymer science opens new perspectives for the design of polymer materials exhibiting valuable properties and easier processability due to the dynamic nature of non‐covalent interactions. Hydrogen bonding polymers can be used as supramolecular units for yielding larger assemblies that possess attractive features, arising from the combination of polymer properties and the responsiveness of hydrogen bonds. The post‐polymerization modification of reactive end‐groups is the most common procedure for generating such polymers. Examples of polymerizations mediated by hydrogen bonding‐functionalized precursors have also recently been reported. This contribution reviews the current synthetic routes toward hydrogen bonding sticker chain‐end functionalized polymers.     

基于碳纤维材料基底的电解水制氢催化剂的研究进展

电解水制氢技术是未来获得清洁氢能源的有效途径之一。铂作为高效的电解水制氢催化剂,由于其价格昂贵,难以回收,不利于氢能源与氢经济的发展,因此发展高效的非贵金属电催化剂,使电解水制氢过程更加高效、经济化是十分关键的科学问题。本文综述了近年来电解水制氢催化剂的研究进展,重点集中在以碳纤维材料为基底的非贵金属催化剂领域。总结了几类重要的多相异质非贵金属催化剂,包括磷化物、硫化物、硒化物、碳化物、氧化物催化剂等,重点探讨了各种析氢催化剂的合成方法和性能提高策略。同时,本文也简要概述了碳纤维基底材料在电分析化学检测方面的应用研究。