Bismuth-Polyoxocation Coordination Networks: Controlling Nuclearity and Dimension-Dependent Photocatalysis

Journal Article · Tue Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c01172· OSTI ID:1997839

Amiri, Mehran ^[1]; Lulich, Alice ^[2]; Chiu, Nan-Chieh ^[2]; Wolff, Samuel ^[3]; Fast, Dylan B. ^[3]; Stickle, William F. ^[4]; Stylianou, Kyriakos C. ^[2]; Nyman, May ^[2]

---

1. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (United States); Oregon State University
2. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (United States)
3. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (United States); Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, OR (United States)
4. Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR (United States)

Bismuth-oxocluster nodes for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination networks/polymers are less prolific than other families featuring zinc, zirconium, titanium, lanthanides, etc. However, Bi³⁺ is non-toxic, it readily forms polyoxocations, and its oxides are exploited in photocatalysis. This family of compounds provides opportunity in medicinal and energy applications. Here, we show that Bi node nuclearity depends on solvent polarity, leading to a family of Bi_x-sulfonate/carboxylate coordination networks with x = 1–38. Larger nuclearity-node networks were obtained from polar and strongly coordinating solvents, and we attribute the solvent’s ability to stabilize larger species in solution. Here, the strong role of the solvent and the lesser role of the linker in defining node topologies differ from other MOF syntheses, and this is due to the Bi³⁺ intrinsic lone pair that leads to weak node–linker interactions. We describe this family by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (eleven structures), obtained in pure forms and high yields. Ditopic linkers include NDS (1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate), DDBS (2,2'-[biphenyl-4,4'-diylchethane-2,1-diyl] dibenzenesulphonate), and NH₂-benzendicarboxylate (BDC). While the BDC and NDS linkers yield more open-framework topologies that resemble those obtained by carboxylate linkers, topologies with DDBS linkers appear to be in part driven by association between DDBS molecules. An in situ small-angle X-ray scattering study of Bi₃₈-DDBS reveals stepwise formation, including Bi₃₈-assembly, pre-organization in solution, followed by crystallization, confirming the less important role of the linker. We demonstrate photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) generation with select members of the synthesized materials without the benefit of a co-catalyst. Band gap determination from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis data suggest the DDBS linker effectively absorbs in the visible range with ligand-to-Bi-node charge transfer. In addition, materials containing more Bi (larger Bi₃₈-nodes or Bi₆ inorganic chains) exhibit strong UV absorption, also contributing to effective photocatalysis by a different mechanism. All tested materials became black with extensive UV–vis exposure, and XPS, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray scattering of the black Bi₃₈-framework suggest that Bi^o is formed in situ, without phase segregation. This evolution leads to enhanced photocatalytic performance, perhaps due to increased light absorption.

• Research Organization: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Murdock Charitable Trust; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0010802
• OSTI ID: 1997839
• Journal Information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, Journal Name: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 15; ISSN 1944-8244
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Bi-MOFs
SAXS
bismuth oxoclusters
chemical structure
cluster chemistry
coordination polymers
ligands
metal organic frameworks
photocatalysis
solvents