Synthesis and chracterization of new ion-exchangeable metal- organic framework materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly crystalline porous materials constructed of single metal ions or polynuclear metal clusters linked by multidentate organic ligands, principally through coordinate bonds. This relatively new family of materials, which offers small density, huge surface to volume ratios, tunable pore structure and flexibility to be functionalized, has developed into one of the most prolific new fields in chemistry and materials science, attracting attention from a wide spectrum of industrial and academic researchers for their interesting properties including catalysis, drug delivery, magnetic, sensor, proton conduction and, in particular, gas (water, hydrogen, carbon dioxide) adsorption and separation.

Many applications of existing porous framework materials either depend upon, or are considerably enhanced by, the ability to undergo post-synthetic modification by ion exchange. This approach has also been tried in metal-organic frameworks; its scope is limited, however, by the fact that, of the several hundred different MOFs that have hitherto been reported, the number known to undergo ion exchange remains a tiny subset. This project will explore the synthesis and properties of new MOF materials with significant ion-exchange capacity. This crucial property is of interest in its own right as it can facilitate, for example, the removal and trapping of harmful toxic or radioactive cations, but also enables the fine-tuning of the many useful properties mentioned above.