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Transforming MOFs for energy applications using the guest@MOF concept

Journal Article · · Inorganic Chemistry

As the world transitions from fossil fuels to clean energy sources in the coming decades, many technological challenges will require chemists and material scientists to develop new materials for applications related to energy conversion, storage, and efficiency. Because of their unprecedented adaptability, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) will factor strongly in this portfolio. By utilizing the broad synthetic toolkit provided by the fields of organic and inorganic chemistry, MOF pores can be customized to suit a particular application. Of particular importance is the ability to tune the strength of the interaction between the MOF pores and guest molecules. By cleverly controlling these MOF–guest interactions, the chemist may impart new function into the Guest@MOF materials otherwise lacking in vacant MOF. Herein, we highlight the concept of the Guest@MOF as it relates to our efforts to develop these materials for energy-related applicatons. Additionally, our work in the areas of H2 and noble gas storage, hydrogenolysis of biomass, light-harvesting, and conductive materials will be discussed. Of relevance to light-harvesting applications, we report for the first time a postsynthetic modification strategy for increasing the loading of a light-sensitive electron-donor molecule in the pores of a functionalized MIL-101 structure. Through the demonstrated versatility of these approaches, we show that, by treating guest molecules as integral design elements for new MOF constructs, MOF science can have a significant impact on the advancement of clean energy technologies.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1329627
Report Number(s):
SAND--2016-10197J; 648198
Journal Information:
Inorganic Chemistry, Journal Name: Inorganic Chemistry Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 55; ISSN 0020-1669
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (8)

Defective Metal-Organic Frameworks journal January 2018
Versatile Barium and Calcium Imidazolium-Dicarboxylate Heterogeneous Catalysts in Quinoline Synthesis: Versatile Barium and Calcium Imidazolium-Dicarboxylate Heterogeneous Catalysts in Quinoline Synthesis journal November 2017
Application of Fe-MOFs in advanced oxidation processes journal April 2019
Structure and adsorptive desulfurization performance of the composite material MOF-5@AC journal January 2018
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs): potential and challenges for capture and abatement of ammonia journal January 2017
Green applications of metal–organic frameworks journal January 2018
On the potential for nanoscale metal–organic frameworks for energy applications journal January 2019
Post-synthetic modification of divalent nickel acetate cubanes with carboxylates journal January 2017

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