Water Promotes Melting of a Metal-Organic Framework.

Water is one of the most reactive and abundant molecules on Earth, and it is thus crucial to understand its reactivity with various material families. One of the big unknown questions is how water in liquid and vapor forms impact the fast-emerging class of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Here, we discover that high-pressure water vapor drastically modifies the structure and hence the dynamic, thermodynamic, and mechanical properties of MOF glasses. In detail, we find that an archetypical MOF (ZIF-62) is extremely sensitive to heat treatments performed at 460 °C and water vapor pressures up to ∼110 bar. Both the melting and glass transition temperatures decrease remarkably (by >100 °C), and simultaneously, hardness and Young's modulus increase by up to 100% under very mild treatment conditions (<20 bar of hydrothermal pressure). Structural analyses suggest water to partially coordinate to Zn in the form of a hydroxide ion by replacing a bridging imidazolate-based linker. The work provides insight into the role of hot-compressed water in influencing the structure and properties of MOF glasses and opens a new route for systematically changing the thermodynamics and kinetics of MOF liquids and thus altering the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting MOF glasses.

Towards a machine-readable literature: finding relevant papers based on an uploaded powder diffraction pattern.

A prototype application for machine-readable literature is investigated. The program is called pyDataRecognition and serves as an example of a data-driven literature search, where the literature search query is an experimental data set provided by the user. The user uploads a powder pattern together with the radiation wavelength. The program compares the user data to a database of existing powder patterns associated with published papers and produces a rank ordered according to their similarity score. The program returns the digital object identifier and full reference of top-ranked papers together with a stack plot of the user data alongside the top-five database entries. The paper describes the approach and explores successes and challenges.

nmfMapping: a cloud-based web application for non-negative matrix factorization of powder diffraction and pair distribution function datasets.

A cloud-hosted web-based software application, nmfMapping, for carrying out a non-negative matrix factorization of a set of powder diffraction or atomic pair distribution function datasets is described. This application allows structure scientists to find trends rapidly in sets of related data such as from in situ and operando diffraction experiments. The application is easy to use and does not require any programming expertise. It is available at https://pdfitc.org/.

Fluoride substitution in LiBH4; destabilization and decomposition.

Fluoride substitution in LiBH4 is studied by investigation of LiBH4-LiBF4 mixtures (9 : 1 and 3 : 1). Decomposition was followed by in situ synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (in situ SR-PXD), thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry with gas analysis (TGA/DSC-MS) and in situ infrared spectroscopy (in situ FTIR). Upon heating, fluoride substituted LiBH4 forms (LiBH4-xFx) and decomposition occurs, releasing diborane and solid decomposition products. The decomposition temperature is reduced more than fourfold relative to the individual constituents, with decomposition commencing at T = 80 °C. The degree of fluoride substitution is quantified by sequential Rietveld refinement and shows a selective manner of substitution. In situ FTIR experiments reveal formation of bands originating from LiBH4-xFx. Formation of LiF and observation of diborane release implies that the decomposing materials have a composition that facilitates formation of diborane and LiF, i.e. LiBH4-xFx (LiBH3F). An alternative approach for fluoride substitution was performed, by addition of Et3N·3HF to LiBH4, yielding extremely unstable products. Spontaneous decomposition indicates fluoride substitution to have occurred. From our point of view, this is the most significant destabilization effect seen for borohydride materials so far.

Synthesis, structure and properties of bimetallic sodium rare-earth (RE) borohydrides, NaRE(BH4)4, RE = Ce, Pr, Er or Gd.

Formation, stability and properties of new metal borohydrides within RE(BH4)3-NaBH4, RE = Ce, Pr, Er or Gd is investigated. Three new bimetallic sodium rare-earth borohydrides, NaCe(BH4)4, NaPr(BH4)4 and NaEr(BH4)4 are formed based on an addition reaction between NaBH4 and halide free rare-earth metal borohydrides RE(BH4)3, RE = Ce, Pr, Er. All the new compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system. NaCe(BH4)4 has unit cell parameters of a = 6.8028(5), b = 17.5181(13), c = 7.2841(5) Å and space group Pbcn. NaPr(BH4)4 is isostructural to NaCe(BH4)4 with unit cell parameters of a = 6.7617(2), b = 17.4678(7), c = 7.2522(3) Å. NaEr(BH4)4 crystallizes in space group Cmcm with unit cell parameters of a = 8.5379(2), b = 12.1570(4), c = 9.1652(3) Å. The structural relationships, also to the known RE(BH4)3, are discussed in detail and related to the stability and synthesis conditions. Heat treatment of NaBH4-Gd(BH4)3 mixture forms an unstable amorphous phase, which decomposes after one day at RT. NaCe(BH4)4 and NaPr(BH4)4 show reversible hydrogen storage capacity of 1.65 and 1.04 wt% in the fourth H2 release, whereas that of NaEr(BH4)4 continuously decreases. This is mainly assigned to formation of metal hydrides and possibly slower formation of sodium borohydride. The dehydrogenated state clearly contains rare-earth metal borides, which stabilize boron in the dehydrogenated state.

Accommodating High Transformation Strains in Battery Electrodes via the Formation of Nanoscale Intermediate Phases: Operando Investigation of Olivine NaFePO4.

Virtually all intercalation compounds exhibit significant changes in unit cell volume as the working ion concentration varies. NaxFePO4 (0 < x < 1, NFP) olivine, of interest as a cathode for sodium-ion batteries, is a model for topotactic, high-strain systems as it exhibits one of the largest discontinuous volume changes (∼17% by volume) during its first-order transition between two otherwise isostructural phases. Using synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (PXD) and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, we discover a new strain-accommodation mechanism wherein a third, amorphous phase forms to buffer the large lattice mismatch between primary phases. The amorphous phase has short-range order over ∼1nm domains that is characterized by a and b parameters matching one crystalline end-member phase and a c parameter matching the other, but is not detectable by powder diffraction alone. We suggest that this strain-accommodation mechanism may generally apply to systems with large transformation strains.

Metal borohydrides and derivatives - synthesis, structure and properties.

A wide variety of metal borohydrides, MBH4, have been discovered and characterized during the past decade, revealing an extremely rich chemistry including fascinating structural flexibility and a wide range of compositions and physical properties. Metal borohydrides receive increasing interest within the energy storage field due to their extremely high hydrogen density and possible uses in batteries as solid state ion conductors. Recently, new types of physical properties have been explored in lanthanide-bearing borohydrides related to solid state phosphors and magnetic refrigeration. Two major classes of metal borohydride derivatives have also been discovered: anion-substituted compounds where the complex borohydride anion, BH4-, is replaced by another anion, i.e. a halide or amide ion; and metal borohydrides modified with neutral molecules, such as NH3, NH3BH3, N2H4, etc. Here, we review new synthetic strategies along with structural, physical and chemical properties for metal borohydrides, revealing a number of new trends correlating composition, structure, bonding and thermal properties. These new trends provide general knowledge and may contribute to the design and discovery of new metal borohydrides with tailored properties towards the rational design of novel functional materials. This review also demonstrates that there is still room for discovering new combinations of light elements including boron and hydrogen, leading to complex hydrides with extreme flexibility in composition, structure and properties.

Nanoconfined NaAlH4 Conversion Electrodes for Li Batteries.

In the past, sodium alanate, NaAlH4, has been widely investigated for its capability to store hydrogen, and its potential for improving storage properties through nanoconfinement in carbon scaffolds has been extensively studied. NaAlH4 has recently been considered for Li-ion storage as a conversion-type anode in Li-ion batteries. Here, NaAlH4 nanoconfined in carbon scaffolds as an anode material for Li-ion batteries is reported for the first time. Nanoconfined NaAlH4 was prepared by melt infiltration into mesoporous carbon scaffolds. In the first cycle, the electrochemical reversibility of nanoconfined NaAlH4 was improved from around 30 to 70% compared to that of nonconfined NaAlH4. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that nanoconfinement alters the conversion pathway, and operando powder X-ray diffraction showed that the conversion from NaAlH4 into Na3AlH6 is favored over the formation of LiNa2AlH6. The electrochemical reactivity of the carbon scaffolds has also been investigated to study their contribution to the overall capacity of the electrodes.

Synthesis, structure and properties of new bimetallic sodium and potassium lanthanum borohydrides.

Two new bimetallic sodium or potassium lanthanum borohydrides, NaLa(BH4)4 and K3La(BH4)6, are formed using La(BH4)3 free of metal halide by-products. NaLa(BH4)4 crystallizes in an orthorhombic crystal system with unit cell parameters, a = 6.7987(19), b = 17.311(5), c = 7.2653(19) Å and space group symmetry Pbcn. This compound has a new structure type built from brucite-like layers of octahedra (hcp packing of anions) with half of the octahedral sites empty leading to octahedral chains similar to rutile (straight chains) or α-PbO2 (zig-zag chains). K3La(BH4)6 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with unit cell parameters a = 7.938(2), b = 8.352(2), c = 11.571(3) Å, ß = 90.19(6)° and space group P21/n with a double-perovskite type structure. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a mass loss of 5.86 and 2.83 wt% for NaLa(BH4)4 and K3La(BH4)6, respectively, in the temperature range of room temperature to 400 °C. Mass spectrometry shows that hydrogen release starts at 212 and 275 °C for NaLa(BH4)4 and K3La(BH4)6, respectively and confirms that no diborane is released. Sieverts' measurements reveal that 2.03 and 0.49 wt% of hydrogen can be released from the NaLa(BH4)4 and K3La(BH4)6, respectively, during the second hydrogen desorption cycle at the selected physical condition for hydrogen absorption.

Structural Investigation of Zn(II) Insertion in Bayerite, an Aluminum Hydroxide.

Bayerite was treated under hydrothermal conditions (120, 130, 140, and 150 °C) to prepare a series of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with an ideal composition of ZnAl4(OH)12(SO4)0.5·nH2O (ZnAl4-LDHs). These products were investigated by both bulk techniques (powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy, and elemental analysis) and atomic-level techniques ((1)H and (27)Al solid-state NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy) to gain a detailed insight into the structure of ZnAl4-LDHs and sample composition. Four structural models (one stoichiometric and three different defect models) were investigated by Rietveld refinement of the PXRD data. These were assessed using the information obtained from other characterization techniques, which favored the ideal (nondefect) structural model for ZnAl4-LDH, as, for example, (27)Al magic-angle spinning NMR showed that excess Al was present as amorphous bayerite (Al(OH)3) and pseudoboehmite (AlOOH). Moreover, no evidence of cation mixing, that is, partial substitution of Zn(II) onto any of four Al sites, was observed. Altogether this study highlights the challenges involved to synthesize pure ZnAl4-LDHs and the necessity to use complementary techniques such as PXRD, elemental analysis, and solid-state NMR for the characterization of the local and extended structure of ZnAl4-LDHs.

Barium borohydride chlorides: synthesis, crystal structures and thermal properties.

Here we report the synthesis, mechanism of formation, characterization and thermal decomposition of new barium borohydride chlorides prepared by mechanochemistry and thermal treatment of MBH4-BaCl2, M = Li, Na or K in ratios 1 : 1 and 1 : 2. Initially, orthorhombic barium chloride, o-BaCl2 transforms into o-Ba(BH4)xCl2-x, x ∼ 0.15. Excess LiBH4 leads to continued anion substitution and a phase transformation into hexagonal barium borohydride chloride h-Ba(BH4)xCl2-x, which accommodates higher amounts of borohydride, possibly x ∼ 0.85 and resembles h-BaCl2. Thus, two solid solutions are in equilibrium during mechano-chemical treatment of LiBH4-BaCl2 (1 : 1) whereas LiBH4-BaCl2 (2 : 1) converts to h-Ba(BH4)0.85Cl1.15. Upon thermal treatment at T > ∼200 °C, h-Ba(BH4)0.85Cl1.15 transforms into another orthorhombic barium borohydride chloride compound, o-Ba(BH4)0.85Cl1.15, which is structurally similar to o-BaBr2. The samples with M = Na and K have lower reactivity and form o-Ba(BH4)xCl2-x, x ∼ 0.1 and a solid solution of sodium chloride dissolved in solid sodium borohydride, Na(BH4)1-xClx, x = 0.07. The new compounds and reaction mechanisms are investigated by in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mass spectroscopy (MS) and temperature programmed photographic analysis (TPPA).

Engineering the Transformation Strain in LiMnyFe1-yPO4 Olivines for Ultrahigh Rate Battery Cathodes.

Alkali ion intercalation compounds used as battery electrodes often exhibit first-order phase transitions during electrochemical cycling, accompanied by significant transformation strains. Despite ∼30 years of research into the behavior of such compounds, the relationship between transformation strain and electrode performance, especially the rate at which working ions (e.g., Li) can be intercalated and deintercalated, is still absent. In this work, we use the LiMnyFe1-yPO4 system for a systematic study, and measure using operando synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD) the dynamic strain behavior as a function of the Mn content (y) in powders of ∼50 nm average diameter. The dynamically produced strain deviates significantly from what is expected from the equilibrium phase diagrams and demonstrates metastability but nonetheless spans a wide range from 0 to 8 vol % with y. For the first time, we show that the discharge capacity at high C-rates (20-50C rate) varies in inverse proportion to the transformation strain, implying that engineering electrode materials for reduced strain can be used to maximize the power capability of batteries.

Manganese borohydride; synthesis and characterization.

Solvent-based synthesis and characterization of α-Mn(BH4)2 and a new nanoporous polymorph of manganese borohydride, γ-Mn(BH4)2, via a new solvate precursor, Mn(BH4)2·1/2S(CH3)2, is presented. Manganese chloride is reacted with lithium borohydride in a toluene/dimethylsulfide mixture at room temperature, which yields halide and solvent-free manganese borohydride after extraction with dimethylsulfide (DMS) and subsequent removal of residual solvent. This work constitutes the first example of establishing a successful, reproducible solvent-based synthesis route for a pure, crystalline, stable transition metal borohydride. The new polymorph, γ-Mn(BH4)2, is shown to be the manganese counterpart of the zeolite-like compound, γ-Mg(BH4)2 (cubic, a = 16.209(1) Å, space group Id3̄a). It is verified that large pores (diameter > 6.0 Å) exist in this structure. The solvate, Mn(BH4)2·1/2S(CH3)2, is subsequently shown to be the analogue of Mg(BH4)2·1/2S(CH3)2. As the structural analogies between Mg(BH4)2 and Mn(BH4)2 became evident a new polymorph of Mg(BH4)2 was identified and termed ζ-Mg(BH4)2. ζ-Mg(BH4)2 is the structural counterpart of α-Mn(BH4)2. All synthesis products are characterized employing synchrotron radiation-powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis in combination with mass spectroscopy. Thermal analysis reveals the decomposition of Mn(BH4)2 to occur at 160 °C, accompanied by a mass loss of 14.8 wt%. A small quantity of the desorbed gaseous species is identified as diborane (ρ(m)(Mn(BH4)2) = 9.5 wt% H2), while the remaining majority is found to be hydrogen.

Hydrogen reversibility of LiBH4-MgH2-Al composites.

The detailed mechanism of hydrogen release in LiBH4-MgH2-Al composites of molar ratios 4 : 1 : 1 and 4 : 1 : 5 are investigated during multiple cycles of hydrogen release and uptake. This study combines information from several methods, i.e., in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction, (11)B magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, Sievert's measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and mass spectroscopy. The composites of LiBH4-MgH2-Al are compared with the behavior of the LiBH4-Al and LiBH4-MgH2 systems. The decomposition pathway of the LiBH4-MgH2-Al system is different for the two investigated molar ratios, although it ultimately results in the formation of LiAl, Mg(x)Al(1-x)B2 and Li2B12H12 in both cases. For the 4 : 1 : 1-molar ratio, Mg(0.9)Al(0.1) and Mg17Al12 are observed as intermediates. However, only Mg is observed as an intermediate in the 4 : 1 : 5-sample, which may be due to an earlier formation of Mg(x)Al(1-x)B2, reflecting the complex chemistry of Al-Mg phases. Hydrogen release and uptake reveals a decrease in the hydrogen storage capacity upon cycling. This loss reflects the formation of Li2B12H12 as observed by (11)B NMR and infrared spectroscopy for the cycled samples. Furthermore, it is shown that the Li2B12H12 formation can be limited significantly by applying moderate hydrogen partial pressure during decomposition.

The effect of H2 partial pressure on the reaction progression and reversibility of lithium-containing multicomponent destabilized hydrogen storage systems.

It is known that the reaction path for the decomposition of LiBH(4):MgH(2) systems is dependent on whether decomposition is performed under vacuum or under a hydrogen pressure (typically 1-5 bar). However, the sensitivity of this multicomponent hydride system to partial pressures of H(2) has not been investigated previously. A combination of in situ powder neutron and X-ray diffraction (deuterides were used for the neutron experiments) have shed light on the effect of low partial pressures of hydrogen on the decomposition of these materials. Different partial pressures have been achieved through the use of different vacuum systems. It was found that all the samples decomposed to form Li-Mg alloys regardless of the vacuum system used or sample stoichiometry of the multicomponent system. However, upon cooling the reaction products, the alloys showed phase instability in all but the highest efficiency pumps (i.e., lowest base pressures), with the alloys reacting to form LiH and Mg. This work has significant impact on the investigation of Li-containing multicomponent systems and the reproducibility of results if different dynamic vacuum conditions are used, as this affects the apparent amount of hydrogen evolved (as determined by ex situ experiments). These results have also helped to explain differences in the reported reversibility of the systems, with Li-rich samples forming a passivating hydride layer, hindering further hydrogenation.

Thermal polymorphism and decomposition of Y(BH(4))(3).

The structure and thermal decomposition of Y(BH(4))(3) is studied by in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD), (11)B MAS NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry). The samples were prepared via a metathesis reaction between LiBH(4) and YCl(3) in different molar ratios mediated by ball milling. A new high temperature polymorph of Y(BH(4))(3), denoted beta-Y(BH(4))(3), is discovered besides the Y(BH(4))(3) polymorph previously reported, denoted alpha-Y(BH(4))(3). beta-Y(BH(4))(3) has a cubic crystal structure and crystallizes with the space group symmetry Pm3m and a bisected a-axis, a = 5.4547(8) A, as compared to alpha-Y(BH(4))(3), a = 10.7445(4) A (Pa3). Beta-Y(BH(4))(3) crystallizes with a regular ReO(3)-type structure, hence the Y(3+) cations form cubes with BH(4)(-) anions located on the edges. This arrangement is a regular variant of the distorted Y(3+) cube observed in alpha-Y(BH(4))(3), which is similar to the high pressure phase of ReO(3). The new phase, beta-Y(BH(4))(3) is formed in small amounts during ball milling; however, larger amounts are formed under moderate hydrogen pressure via a phase transition from alpha- to beta-Y(BH(4))(3), at approximately 180 degrees C. Upon further heating, beta-Y(BH(4))(3) decomposes at approximately 190 degrees C to YH(3), which transforms to YH(2) at 270 degrees C. An unidentified compound is observed in the temperature range 215-280 degrees C, which may be a new Y-B-H containing decomposition product. The final decomposition product is YB(4). These results show that boron remains in the solid phase when Y(BH(4))(3) decomposes in a hydrogen atmosphere and that Y(BH(4))(3) may store hydrogen reversibly.