Identifying pathways to metal-organic framework collapse during solvent activation with molecular simulations (original) (raw)

Understanding Small-Molecule Interactions in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Coupling Experiment with Theory

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), 2015

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained much attention as next-generation porous media for various applications, especially gas separation/storage, and catalysis. New MOFs are regularly reported; however, to develop better materials in a timely manner for specific applications, the interactions between guest molecules and the internal surface of the framework must first be understood. A combined experimental and theoretical approach is presented, which proves essential for the elucidation of small-molecule interactions in a model MOF system known as M2 (dobdc) (dobdc(4-) = 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate; M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn), a material whose adsorption properties can be readily tuned via chemical substitution. It is additionally shown that the study of extensive families like this one can provide a platform to test the efficacy and accuracy of developing computational methodologies in slightly varying chemical environments, a task that is necessary for their...

CRAFTED: An exploratory database of simulated adsorption isotherms of metal-organic frameworks

Scientific Data

Grand Canonical Monte Carlo is an important method for performing molecular-level simulations and assisting the study and development of nanoporous materials for gas capture applications. These simulations are based on the use of force fields and partial charges to model the interaction between the adsorbent molecules and the solid framework. The choice of the force field parameters and partial charges can significantly impact the results obtained, however, there are very few databases available to support a comprehensive impact evaluation. Here, we present a database of simulations of CO2 and N2 adsorption isotherms on 690 metal-organic frameworks taken from the CoRE MOF 2014 database. We performed simulations with two force fields (UFF and DREIDING), six partial charge schemes (no charges, Qeq, EQeq, MPNN, PACMOF, and DDEC), and three temperatures (273, 298, 323 K). The resulting isotherms compose the Charge-dependent, Reproducible, Accessible, Forcefield-dependent, and Temperatur...

Growth Mechanism of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Insights into the Nucleation by Employing a Step-by-Step Route

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2009

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging, class of porous materials. MOFs are highly ordered, crystalline coordination polymers of persistent porosity with specific surface areas exceeding that of traditional adsorbents, such as zeolites and active carbons. Whereas initial research on MOFs was mainly driven by the interest to use them as gasstorage (e.g. CH 4 , H 2 , CO 2 ) materials, various other applications were proposed and demonstrated, including separation, sensing, catalysis, drug release, and the embedding of (metal and metal oxide) nanoparticles. Presently, the search for new types of MOFs is largely by trial-and-error, because very little is known about the details of the MOF crystal growth and nucleation process. In a 2006 review article on MOFs by Cheetham et al. it was noted that there was still no in situ characterization of an assembly process for MOFs on the molecular level. In this assembly process two subunits have to be combined, organic ligands and metal precursors. Whereas the organic ligands are

Computational studies of adsorption in metal organic frameworks and interaction of nanoparticles in condensed phases

Molecular Simulation, 2014

In this review, we describe recent efforts to systematically study nano-structured metal organic frameworks (MOFs), also known as metal organic heat carriers, with particular emphasis on their application in heating and cooling processes. We used both molecular dynamics and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation techniques to gain a molecular-level understanding of the adsorption mechanism of gases in these porous materials. We investigated the uptake of various gases such as refrigerants R12 and R143a. We also evaluated the effects of temperature and pressure on the uptake mechanism. Our computed results compared reasonably well with available measurements from experiments, thus validating our potential models and approaches. In addition, we investigated the structural, diffusive and adsorption properties of different hydrocarbons in Ni 2 (dhtp). Finally, to elucidate the mechanism of nanoparticle dispersion in condensed phases, we studied the interactions among nanoparticles in various liquids, such as n-hexane, water and methanol.

Strategies for Characterization of Large-Pore MetalOrganic Frameworks by Combined Experimental and Computational Methods

Chemistry of Materials, 2009

A large-pore IRMOF-16-like material (1) was synthesized solvothermally and evacuated by two solvent removal procedures: the original chloroform (CHCl 3 ) method and a new supercritical carbon dioxide (SCD) method. Using several experimental and geometric characterization tools, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and pore size analysis, we propose that 1 is a mixture of noncatenated IRMOF-16 and the corresponding 2-fold interwoven structure and is partially collapsed during the evacuation, especially some of the larger pores. Adsorption measurements using several gases at 77 and 298 K showed that the new SCD evacuation is superior to the conventional CHCl 3 evacuation for increasing the adsorption kinetics as well as the adsorption capacity. This work illustrates a new strategy that combines several experimental methods, geometric calculations, and molecular simulations for the characterization of metalorganic frameworks (MOFs), especially those with large pores. This combination should be helpful for future characterization of new MOFs that possibly include some imperfections such as nonuniform catenation and partial collapse of the crystalline phase.

Adsorption of Small Molecules in the Porous Zirconium-Based Metal Organic Framework MIL-140A (Zr): A Joint Computational-Experimental Approach

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2016

The adsorption of small molecules (CO 2 , CO, H 2 , CH 4 and N 2) in a small pore Zirconium terephthalate MOF was explored by combining quantum and force field-based molecular simulations and experiments. The Density Functional Theory strategy was first validated by a very good agreement between the predicted and the experimental spectroscopic (Infra-red, NMR) and structural features of the selected MOF. These quantum calculations further predicted the preferential adsorption sites and the strength of the host/guest interactions for all confined molecules. These conclusions were favourably compared to force field-based Monte Carlo simulations and microcalorimetry measurements. The water stability of this hybrid porous solid was equally explored as well as the interaction between the MOF and a well-known gas pollutant, i.e. H 2 S.

Monte Carlo Simulations of Nanopore Compartmentalization Yield Fingerprint Adsorption Isotherms as a Rationale for Advanced Structure Characterization of Metal–Organic Frameworks

ACS Applied Nano Materials, 2021

Unique adsorption and transport properties of metal−organic framework (MOF) materials are determined by their complex nanostructures composed of three-dimensional (3D) networks of pore compartments (cages, channels, and windows) that differ in size, shape, and chemical functionalities. Practical MOF samples are rarely ideal crystals: they contain binders, various defects, and residual solvents. Reliable nanopore structure characterization methods are needed to quantify the difference between real samples and ideal MOF crystals. Here, we construct theoretical isotherms in the individual pore compartments of MOF crystals using Monte Carlo simulations and use them as reference fingerprint isotherms. The comparison of the experimental isotherms with the theoretical fingerprint isotherms allows one to calculate the pore type distribution function, degree of sample crystallinity, adsorption capacity, and accessibility of individual pore compartments. This information cannot be obtained with the currently available methods of adsorption characterization. The proposed methodology is demonstrated drawing on the examples of Ar, N 2 , and CO 2 adsorption on porous coordination network-224 (PCN-224) and zeolitic imidazolate framework-412 (ZIF-412) MOF crystals. The constructed fingerprint isotherms are verified against the literature experimental data obtained by in situ adsorption crystallography. The pore-level compartmentalization of adsorption isotherms provides a better understanding of the specifics of the adsorption mechanisms and distribution of adsorbed molecules between the individual pore compartments, which is instrumental for the selection and design of adsorbents with improved properties for gas separation, storage, and catalysis.

Computational characterization and prediction of metal–organic framework properties

In this introductory review, we give an overview of the computational chemistry methods commonly used in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), to describe or predict the structures themselves and characterize their various properties, either at the quantum chemical level or through classical molecular simulation. We discuss the methods for the prediction of crystal structures, geometrical properties and large-scale screening of hypothetical MOFs, as well as their thermal and mechanical properties. A separate section deals with the simulation of adsorption of fluids and fluid mixtures in MOFs.

The Role of Molecular Modeling & Simulation in the Discovery and Deployment of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Storage and Separation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly tunable, extended-network, crystalline, nanoporous materials with applications in gas storage, separations, and sensing. We review how molecular models and simulations of gas adsorption in MOFs have lucidly impacted the discovery of performant MOFs for methane, hydrogen, and oxygen storage, xenon, carbon dioxide, and chemical warfare agent capture, and xylene enrichment. Particularly, we highlight how large, open databases of MOF crystal structures, post-processed for molecular simulations, are a platform for computational materials discovery. We pontificate how to orient research efforts to routinize the computational discovery of MOFs for adsorption-based engineering applications.