Pt Nanoparticles Confined in a 3D Porous FeNC Matrix as Efficient Catalysts for Rechargeable Li-CO2/O2 Batteries.

The cathodic product Li2CO3, due to its high decomposition potential, has hindered the practical application of rechargeable Li-CO2/O2 batteries. To overcome this bottleneck, a Pt/FeNC cathodic catalyst is fabricated by dispersing Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with a uniform size of 2.4 nm and 8.3 wt % loading amount into a porous microcube FeNC support for high-performance rechargeable Li-CO2/O2 batteries. The FeNC matrix is composed of numerous two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanosheets, which is derived from an Fe-doping zinc metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF). Importantly, using Pt/FeNC as the cathodic catalyst, the Li-CO2/O2 (VCO2/VO2 = 4:1) battery displays the lowest overpotential of 0.54 V and a long-term stability of 142 cycles, which is superior to batteries with FeNC (1.67 V, 47 cycles) and NC (1.87 V, 23 cycles) catalysts. The FeNC matrix and Pt NPs can exert a synergetic effect to decrease the decomposition potential of Li2CO3 and thus enhance the battery performance. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further confirms that Li2CO3 can be completely decomposed under a low potential of 3.3 V using the Pt/FeNC catalyst. Impressively, Li2CO3 exhibits a film structure on the surface of the Pt/FeNC catalysts by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and its size can be limited by the confined space between the carbon sheets in Pt/FeNC, which enlarges the better contacting interface. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the Pt and FeNC catalysts show a higher adsorption energy for Li2CO3 and Li2CO4 intermediates compared to the NC catalyst, and the possible discharge pathways are deeply investigated. The synergetic effect between the FeNC support and Pt active sites makes the Li-CO2/O2 battery achieve optimal performance.

Simultaneous Trapping of C2 H2 and C2 H6 from a Ternary Mixture of C2 H2 /C2 H4 /C2 H6 in a Robust Metal-Organic Framework for the Purification of C2 H4.

The removal of C2 H2 and C2 H6 from C2 H4 streams is of great significance for feedstock purification to produce polyethylene and other commodity chemicals but the simultaneous adsorption of C2 H6 and C2 H2 over C2 H4 from a ternary mixture has never been realized. Herein, a robust metal-organic framework, TJT-100, was designed and synthesized, which demonstrates remarkably selective adsorption of C2 H2 and C2 H6 over C2 H4 . Breakthrough experiments show that TJT-100 can be used as an adsorbent for high-performance purification of C2 H4 from a ternary mixture of C2 H2 /C2 H4 /C2 H6 (0.5:99:0.5) to afford a C2 H4 purity greater than 99.997 %, beyond that required for ethylene polymerization. Computational studies reveal that the uncoordinated carboxylate oxygen atoms and coordinated water molecules pointing towards the pore can trap C2 H2 and C2 H6 through the formation of multiple C-H⋅⋅⋅O electrostatic interactions, while the corresponding C2 H4 -framework interaction is unfavorable.

Capped Polyoxometalate Pillars between Metal-Organic Layers for Transferring a Supramolecular Structure into a Covalent 3D Framework.

Two robust metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {H4[Ni(π-H2O)2]2[Ni(rt-H2O)2]8Ni4(Tri)24}[VIVW12O40]2·24H2O (1) and {H[Ni(π-O)2]2[Ni(rt-H2O)2]8Ni4(Tri)24}[VIVW10VV2O40V2][VIVW9VV3O40VIV2]·24H2O (2) (Tri = 1,2,4-triazole), composed of polyoxometalates (POMs) and metal-organic units, were designed and synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Structure analysis indicates that there is a metal-organic crown [{Ni3(Tri)6(H2O)4}4] ({Ni12}) in these two compounds. In 1, the {Ni12} crown embraces four pendant Tri ligands that could capture a cationic [Ni(H2O)2]2+ group, resulting in the Ni13-Tri building unit [Ni(H2O)2{Ni3(Tri)6(H2O)4}4] ({Ni13}). The {Ni13} building unit was fused together by Tri bridges into the 2D metal-organic layers, which are pillared by a typical Keggin-type POM [VW12O40]4- to construct a 3D supramolecular framework via the hydrogen bonds. Interestingly, the 2D metal-organic layer in 1 was successfully transferred into a 3D covalent MOF via extension of the length of the pillars by capping a Keggin-type POM with V-O units. Moreover, electrochemical behaviors and electrocatalytic properties of these two compounds were both studied, which can act as bifunctional electrocatalysts toward the reduction of H2O2 and oxidation of nitrite in neutral aqueous solution.

Structural modulation in two Cu(II)-based MOFs by synergistic assembly involving the mixed-ligand synthetic strategy and the solvent effect.

Two Cu(II)-based MOFs have been constructed by synergistic assembly involving the mixed-ligand synthetic strategy and the solvent effect. Compound is a 3D structure and represents a cds topology, while compound displays a rare structure built by three distinct {Cu4} clusters as SBUs. Moreover, the magnetic properties of have been thoroughly investigated.

Assembly of a cubic nanocage Co8L12 and a hydrogen-bonded 3D NbO net based on the [(HCO3)2]2- synthon and water.

Two new complexes [Co(H2O)6 Co8(L1)12]X6 x n H2O (X = NO3(-), n = 12 (1); X = HCO3-, n = 24, (2); HL1 = 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-ol) have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A [Co(H2O)6](2+) ion is encapsuled in the central cavity of the cubelike nanocage [Co(H2O)6 Co8(L1)12](6+) cation, assembled by eight cobalt ions at the corners and twelve bis-bidentate ligands L1 as the edges, via the formation of 12-fold strong hydrogen bonds between the six coordinated water molecules and the oxygen atoms of twelve L1 as a guest. Complex 1 crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group P1, while 2 is in a very high symmetric space group Im3. In 2, a planar [(HCO3)2](2-) dimer motif R2(2)(8) synthon plus six lattice water molecules constitute a planar supramolecular synthon R8(8)(20), which acts as a four connector, generating a 3D hydrogen-bonded NbO net with cubelike host cavities of approximately 20 A diameter. Interestingly, the cubelike nanocage [Co(H2O)6 Co8(L1)12](6+) cations fill in the cavities as templates. The magnetic properties of 1 have also been studied in the temperature range of 2-300 K, and its magnetic susceptibility obeys the Curie-Weiss law, showing antiferromagnetic coupling.