The present thesis deals with the investigation of liquid-phase and gas-phase adsorption of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using NMR spectroscopy. NMR-based methods are developed and then applied to characterize the surface polarity of studied materials and the influence of structural flexibility on the adsorption selectivity. In the first part of the thesis a new methodology for surface polarity screening of MOFs is proposed based on quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopic measurements of liquid-phase adsorption. The influence of the surface polarity on the adsorption process was studied on several materials, e.g. activated carbons, PAF-1, MIL-101(Cr), HKUST-1, and UiO-67-series. The surface polarity was characterized through the difference in the 1,4-dioxane adsorption uptake from two solvents of opposite polarity, namely n-heptane and N,N-dimethylformamide. An NMR-derived surface polarity index was defined where the polarity of the MOF corresponds to its affinity to polar substances. It was demonstrated that the structural modifications of MOF materials, which should affect the polarity of these MOFs, are indeed reflected by the proposed polarity index. The second part of the thesis focuses on gas mixture adsorption experiments. Metal-organic frameworks are promising candidates for selective separation processes such as CO2 from methane. Framework flexibility is observed only for some special MOFs. The main question is: Does framework flexibility influence the adsorption selectivity? High-pressure in situ 13C NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor the adsorption of 13CO2/13CH4 gas mixtures. This method allows to distinguish between the two gases as well as between adsorbed molecules and the interparticle gas phase. Gas mixture adsorption was performed under isothermal conditions. The selectivity factor for CO2 adsorption from CO2/CH4 mixtures was measured as a function of total gas pressure. The flexible material SNU-9 as well as the flexible and the non-flexible forms of DUT-8(Ni) were compared. Maximum selectivity factors for CO2 were observed for the flexible form of DUT-8(Ni) in its open-pore state. In contrast, the rigid form of DUT-8(Ni) and SNU-9 especially in its intermediate state exhibit lower adsorption selectivity factors. This observation indicates significant influence of the framework flexibility on the adsorption selectivity.

The research in the area of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) continues to be interesting for their unique structures and tunable properties. In this thesis, the various aspects of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) compounds are presented. As part of this study, preparation of MOFs of transition metals (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn), rare-earth metals (Y, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy) and mixed metals (3d-4f) using aromatic carboxylates as linker ligands were accomplished. Structures of the synthesized compounds have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Magnetic properties of the transition metal based compounds have been studied by SQUID magnetometer and the magnetic behaviors have been correlated with their structures using suitable theoretical model. Photocatalytic properties on transition metal and mixed metal compounds have been investigated. Ligand-sensitized metal-center emission has been studied on the Eu3+ and Tb3+ doped MOF compounds of La and Y. Up-conversion luminescence properties of Nd based compounds have also been studied. To gain an insight into the possible mechanism of the formation of MOF compounds, a detailed study of the role of temperature and time during the synthesis has been undertaken. In addition, the transformations of low-dimensional structures to structures of higher dimensionality was also studied, both in the solid state as well as in the solution mediated processes. In Chapter 1 of the thesis an overview of framework compounds is presented. In Chapter 2, the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of benzene tricaboxylate and 4,4’-oxybis(benzoate) compounds of 3d metals are presented. Some of these compounds show unusual structure and interesting magnetic properties. For example, three-dimensional MOF with -Mn-O-Mn- Kagome layer exhibits canted antiferromagntic behavior. Three-dimensional MOF based on body centered arrangement of Co4 clusters shows two-dimensional ferromagnetic behavior. In Chapter 3, the role of temperature and time of reaction in the formation of MOF compounds and the transformation studies are presented. These studies give a clue regarding the mechanism for the synthesis of MOF compound. In chapter 4, synthesis, structure and luminescent properties of rare-earth and 3d-4f mixed metal compounds are presented. The thermal decomposition of Gd-Co-pyridine carboxylate indicates the formation of nano-sized perovskite oxide at temperature ~ 700 °C. In chapter 5, the photocatalytic behavior for the decomposition of organic dyes using MOF compounds are presented.

Afin de répondre aux demandes des industriels de nouveaux matériaux poreux sont testés pour de nouvelles applications ou pour améliorer les procédés existants. Les adsorbants de types Metal Organic Frameworks(MOFs) ont des structures construites à partir d'unités inorganiques reliées entre elles par des ligands organiques. La possibilité de varier ces deux entités, offre une grande diversité de structures avec des cavités de tailles contrôlées. L'objectif de cette thèse a été d'évaluer les performances des MOFs pour l'adsorption de composés organiques et de comprendre les mécanismes d'adsorption. Les deux problématiques sélectionnées sont d'intérêt pour l'industrie pétrochimique. La séparation du para-xylène des autres isomères du xylène et de l'éthylbenzene, permets de répondre à la demande de matière première pour la synthèse du polytéréphtalate d'éthylène. L'adsorption des composés azotés et soufrés (teneur fixée par des législations), permets la purification de carburants. Notre étude thermodynamique est basée sur la réalisation d'isothermes d'adsorption et la détermination d'enthalpies d'adsorption par microcalorimétrie en phase liquide. L'adsorption des vapeurs des xylènes purs a été étudiée pour comprendre l'effet du solvant. Une grande variété de comportement a été observée selon les structures des MOFs. Nous avons par exemple mis en évidence l'effet de l'empilement moléculaire des isomères du xylène sur la sélectivité des MOFs. Nous avons démontré que la flexibilité des MOFs intervient sur les interactions au cours de l'adsorption des xylènes. Nous avons mis en évidence une sélectivité des MOFs possédant un centre métallique insaturé en faveur des composés azotés / In order to meet the industrials requirements, new porous materials are tested for new applications or to improve existing processes. The Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are hybrids crystalline compounds made up of clusters (or chains) of metal ions coordinated by organic linkers to form three dimensional structures. The ability to vary these two entities offers to MOFs a wide variety of organized structure with pore sizes controlled. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the MOF performances for the adsorption of organic compounds and also understand the related adsorption mechanism. The two selected issues are of interest for the petrochemical industry. The para-xylène separation from the other xylene isomers (ortho, meta) and ethylbenzene, allows to meet the demand for raw materials in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) synthesis. The nitrogen and sulphur compounds adsorption allows the purification of fuels (sulphur content set by legislation). We present a thermodynamic study of adsorption from solution based on the determination of adsorption isotherms by depletion method and adsorption enthalpies by microcalorimetry. The pure xylenes vapour adsorption was also studied to understand the solvent effect. A wide variety of behaviour has been observed depending on MOF structures. For example we demonstrated the effect of xylene isomers molecular packing on MOF selectivity. Furthermore we have shown that the MOF structure flexibility influence the interactions involved during xylene isomers adsorption. We also demonstrated that MOF with unsaturated metallic centres present selectivity for nitrogen compounds (Lewis acid/base).

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-05-26T11:59:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 larissalavoratolima.pdf: 7961540 bytes, checksum: 62acce4548a060da77b38e930d2e8807 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-26T13:14:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 larissalavoratolima.pdf: 7961540 bytes, checksum: 62acce4548a060da77b38e930d2e8807 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-26T13:14:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 larissalavoratolima.pdf: 7961540 bytes, checksum: 62acce4548a060da77b38e930d2e8807 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-22 / As redes metalorgânicas (ou MOF, do inglês Metal-Organic Frameworks) pertencem à classe dos polímeros de coordenação (ou CP, do inglês coordination polymers) e exibem características como porosidade e cristalinidade. Em particular, as MOF bidimensionais têm despertado o interesse no desenvolvimento de uma nova geração de dispositivos ópticos e eletrônicos. A capacidade de formação de filmes finos de algumas dessas MOF as tornam materiais mais atraentes. A MOF bidimensional estudada neste trabalho foi a rede {[Zn(2,5-pdc)(H2O)2].H2O}n (2,5­-pdc = 2,5-piridinodicarboxilato), ZnPDC2D. A MOF 2D foi sintetizada e caracterizada por diferentes técnicas experimentais e também foi estudada por simulação computacional. O modelo do ZnPDC2D foi otimizado por dois métodos (PBE e PBE-­D2), os quais descreveram bem os parâmetros estruturais. A partir do modelo do ZnPDC2D, foi elaborada uma proposta para o processo de desidratação e assim, sugerindo a formação de três novas fases (d1-­ZnPDC2D, d2-­ZnPDC2D e d3-ZnPDC2D). A temperatura em que o ZnPDC2D sofre amorfização foi determinada através da medida de difração de raios X com aumento de temperatura in situ e pôde­se inferir que a fase amorfa sofre uma transformação reversível após ser exposta ao ambiente. A termodinâmica da primeira etapa da desidratação mostra que o funcional PBE é mais adequado para descrever a espontaneidade da reação. Espera­se obter as estruturas por meio de análises de difração de raios X por policritais e refinamento pelo método de Rietveld. O trabalho também reporta a simulação da energia de formação do monofilme pelos métodos PBE e PBE-D2. As análises de propriedades eletrônicas para todas as estruturas citadas foram executadas e discutidas conforme os processos e mudanças envolvidas. / Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) belong to the class of coordination polymers (CPs) and exhibit properties such as porosity and crystallinity. In particular, two­dimensional MOFs have attracted interest in the development of a new generation of optical and electronic devices. The possibility of thin film formation of some of these MOFs makes them more attractive materials. The two­dimensional MOF studied in this work was the network {[Zn(2,5-pdc)(H2O)2].H2O}n (2,5-pdc = 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate), ZnPDC2D. The MOF 2D was synthesized and characterized by different experimental techniques and was also studied by computer simulation. Two optimized ZnPDC2D structures were obtained by distinct methods (PBE and PBE­-D2) with a good description of their parameters. The structure obtained from the simulation of the dehydration process suggest the formation of three new phases (d1-ZnPDC2D, d2-ZnPDC2D and d3-ZnPDC2D). The temperature at which ZnPDC2D undergoes amorphization was determined by X­ray podwer diffraction measurement with in situ temperature rise and it could be inferred that the amorphous phase undergoes a reversible transformation after being exposed to the environment. The thermodynamics of the first stage of dehydration shows that the PBE functional is adequate to describe the spontaneity of the reaction. The structures are expected to be obtained by X­ray podwer diffraction analysis and refinement by the Rietveld method. Thise work also reports the simulation of the monofilm by the PBE and PBE-D2 methods. The analyses of electronic properties for all th cited structures were performed and discussed according to the processes and changes involved.

Différents matériaux hybrides à base de polyoxométallates (POMs) ont été synthétisés au cours de cette thèse. Dans un premier type de matériaux, appelé POM@MOF, des POMs sont incorporés au sein des cavités poreuses d'un Metal-Organic-Framework (MOF). Ces matériaux ont été synthétisés par une méthode d'imprégnation en milieu aqueux ou par synthèse directe en conditions solvothermales. Ils ont ensuite été caractérisés de manière approfondie. La stabilité ou l'évolution des polyoxométallates lors de l'incorporation dans le MOF étant chaque fois parfaitement établie. Les matériaux POM@MOFs ont ensuite été étudiés pour leurs applications en magnétisme, pour la détection et en catalyse. Dans un second temps, des polymère de coordination hybrides à base de POMs (surnomés POMOFs) construits à partir d'isomères ε-Keggin reliés par des ligands organiques ont été synthétisés par voie hydrothermale. De nouvelles structures POMOFs ont pu être obtenue en présence de POMs, de ligands carboxylates et de complexes métalliques comme contre-ions non-innocents. L'activité de ces matériaux vis-à-vis de la réduction des protons a été étudiée par électrocatalyse et photocatalyse. Parallèlement, des synthèses de composés moléculaires solubles à base de POMs ε-Keggin ont également été réalisées. Finalement, des espèces hybrides incorporant des métaux de transitions et des ligands bisphosphonates ont été synthétisées : des polymères incorporant du cuivre(II) et un composé moléculaire à base fer(III). Ces espèces ont ensuite été étudiées pour leurs propriétés magnétiques, catalytiques pour la réduction des NOx. L'espèce à base de fer a également été sélectionnée comme substrat pour des études de dépôt sur surface de silice. / Different Polyoxometalate (POM) based hybrid materials were synthesised during this doctorate. In the first type of materials, called POM@MOF, POMs are incorporated in the porous cavities of a Metal-Organic-Framework (MOF). These materials were synthesised by a impregnation method in an aqueous medium or by direct synthesis in solvothermal conditions. They were then extensively characterised. For every material, the stability or transformation of the POMs during the incorporation was accurately established. The POM@MOFs materials were then studied for their applications in magnetism, for detection and in catalysis. In a second time, POM-based hybrid coordination polymers (called POMOFs) made from ε-Keggin isomers connected by organic linkers were synthesised by a hydrothermal method. New POMOFs structures have been obtained with POMs, carboxylate linkers and metallic complexes as non-innocents counter ions. The catalytic activity of these materials toward protons reduction was studied by electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. In parallel, syntheses of soluble molecular compounds based on ε-Keggin POMs were also performed. Finally, hybrid species incorporating transition metals and bisphosphonate linkers were synthesised : three copper(II) based polymers and a molecular coumpound incorporating iron(III). The magnetic and catalytic (reduction of NOx) properties of these materials were then studied. The iron based species was also selected as substrate for the deposition on a silica surface.

Les Membranes à Matrices Mixtes (MMM’s) sont des matériaux prometteurs pour la capture de CO2 en comparaison aux technologies actuelles telles que l’absorption par solvants aminés (monoéthanolamine). Les ‘Metal-Organic Frameworks’ (MOFs) sont des matériaux poreux cristallins envisagés pour être intégrés sous forme de nanoparticules aux polymères des MMM’s. Ils résultent de la combinaison de nœuds métalliques et de ligands organiques pour former des structures tridimensionnelle (3D) organisées. Ils possèdent divers avantages : des aires spécifiques et des volumes poreux élevés, des tailles de pores contrôlables, et pour certains une stabilité à l’eau. Les MOFs ont une chimie adaptable aux applications souhaitées contrairement aux adsorbants classiques tels que les charbons actifs, les zéolithes.D’une part, ce travail a eu pour objectif l’évaluation des performances de séparation du CO2 par des MOFs microporeux en vue des séparations CO2/N2 et CO2/CH4. Les interactions ‘gaz-adsorbant’ sont favorisées au sein des MOFs par : (1) une réduction de la taille de pores et du volume poreux pouvant engendrer des effets de confinements, de tamis moléculaire ou (2) par la présence de groupements de surface. En conséquence, ces paramètres peuvent contribuer à l’amélioration de la sélectivité du CO2 et ont été étudiés pour divers systèmes de MOFs microporeux. D’autre part, les paramètres texturaux (aire spécifique, volume poreux) et thermodynamiques (enthalpies d’adsorption) ont été corrélés aux quantités maximales de CO2 adsorbées au travers d’une approche quantitative de relation de structure-propriété pour établir des tendances linéaires. / Mixte Matrix Membranes (MMM’s) are promising materials for CO2 capture compared to current technologies as absorption using amines solvents (monoéthanolamine). Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials which can be integrate under nanoparticles shape to polymer phase of MMM’s. They are built from metal nods and organic ligand to yield well-defined tridimensional structure (3D). They possess various advantages: high specific surface area and pore volume, tunable pore size and some of them are stable in presence of water. MOFs have a sustainable chemistry to targeted applications unlike traditional adsorbents as activated carbons, zeolites.On the one hand, this work aimed the assessment of CO2 separation performances of microporous MOFs for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 gas separations. The ‘gas-adsorbent’ interactions are favored in MOFs by: (1) a decrease of pore size, pore volume which can involve confinement effects, molecular sieve effects or (2) the presence of surface groups. Therefore, these factors can contribute to the CO2 selectivity improvement and have been studied for various microporous MOFs. On the other hand, textural (specific surface area, pore volume) and thermodynamic (adsorption enthalpy) parameters have been correlated to CO2 maximum excess uptakes through a quantitative structure-property approach to establish some linear trends.

In recent years, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been identified as promising adsorbents in a number of industrially relevant, yet challenging, separations, including the removal of propane from propane/propylene mixtures and the separation of mixtures of xylene isomers. The highly tuneable nature of MOFs - wherein structures may be constructed from a variety of diverse building blocks – has resulted in the publication of a staggering number of frameworks incorporating a wide range of network topologies, pore shapes and pore diameters. As a result, there are a huge number of candidate adsorbents to consider for a given separation. Molecular simulation techniques allow the identification of those structural features and characteristics of a MOF which exert the greatest influence on the adsorption and separation of the compounds of interest, providing insights which can both guide the selection and accelerate the development of adsorbents for a specific application. The separation of propane/propylene mixtures via adsorption has typically focused on selective adsorption of the olefin, propylene, via specific olefin-adsorbent interactions. These propylene-selective MOFs result in processes which selectively remove the most abundant species in the process stream and are typically characterised by high heats of adsorption, resulting in large adsorption units and adsorbents which are difficult to regenerate. In this work, the capability of MOFs to selectively adsorb propane over propylene is explored, potentially allowing for the design of smaller and more energy-efficient adsorption units. By studying a range of different MOFs as well as carbon-based model pores, it was found that the low-pressure selectivity of the structure is determined by the strength of the electrostatic interaction between propylene and the framework, while the adsorptive preference at industrially-relevant pressures is dominated by the enhanced packing efficiency of propylene over propane. The confinement of C3 molecules, however, may be employed to negate this entropic advantage and guide the development of materials which selectively adsorb propane over propylene. It has recently been reported that the adsorptive preference of a MOF for one xylene isomer over another may be predicted based solely on the pore size distribution of the structure. In this work, the impact of pore size on selectivity was studied systematically in both one-dimensional model pore systems of varying geometries and analogous published MOF structures. The ability of the framework to discriminate between xylene molecules in these systems was found to be determined primarily by the different packing arrangements available to the different isomers – while small pores were found to favour the slimmest of the isomers, larger pores were found to favour the more compact ortho- isomer. Finally, the adsorption and diffusion of xylene isomers in a more complex MOF, UiO-66(Zr), was studied in depth. Simulations were able to correctly predict the previously-reported preference of the MOF for ortho-xylene (oX). The smaller volume of the oX molecule compared to the other isomers was found to be responsible both for an enhanced entropic contribution and higher guest-host interaction energies. The importance of framework flexibility in the diffusion of xylene isomers in UiO-66(Zr) was also explored, with distortion of the structure in response to interaction with adsorbed molecules found to be essential in allowing xylenes to diffuse through the pore space.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The first part of this study describes the synthesis of new porous materials from basic building blocks. Five structurally related ligands namely: N,N'-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-naphthalene diimide (L1), N,N'-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-naphthalene diimide (L2), N,N'-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)- pyromellitic diimide (L3), N,N'-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-pyromellitic diimide (L4) and 2-(pyridin-4- ylmethyl)-benzene tricarboxylic anhydride (L5) were synthesised. Ligands L1 and L2 were reacted with metal nitrates and carboxylates as co-ligands in a systematic manner with a view to obtaining potentially porous 3–D coordination polymers. Ten structurally diverse coordination polymers were obtained and they were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Four of these compounds absorb moderate amounts of CO2 and, in addition, show sorption selectivity towards CO2 over N2. The reaction of L3 and L4 with transition metal halides yielded two 1–D chains, while the reaction of L5 with transition metal nitrates yielded seven coordination polymers of which four are 2–D and three are 1–D. Of the 2–D structures three are isostructural. The second part of this work describes a variable pressure study of a flexible metal-organic framework [Zn2(BDC)2(BPY)] (BPY = 4,4 -bipyridine and BDC = 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid). [Zn2(BDC)2(BPY)] is one of the few examples of a flexible metal-organic framework that undergoes phase transformations in response to gas pressure. The high pressure sorption recorded for this metal-organic framework displays two inflection steps in the pressure range 0 to 30 bar, possibly indicating two phase transformations. The gas-loaded structures for each phase transformation were determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. High-pressure differential scanning calorimetry was also carried out on the system in order to determine accurate gate-opening pressures, as well as the energies involved with each phase transformation. The results correlate with those obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and high-pressure sorption. The final section reports the mechanochemical synthesis of two Werner complexes [NiCl2(4- PhPy)4] (1), [CoCl2(4-PhPy)4] (2) and their corresponding solid solution [Ni0.5Co0.5Cl2(4-PhPy)4] (3) (PhPy = phenyl pyridine). The solid solution could only be formed by mechanochemical synthesis and not by conventional solution crystallisation methods. The solid solution exhibits sorption properties that differ from those of the pure compounds. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die eerste deel van hierdie studie beskryf die sintese van nuwe poreuse stowwe uit basiese boublokke. Vyf struktureel verwante ligande naamlik: N,N'-bis(3-piridielmetiel)-naftaleen diimied (L1), N,N'-bis(4-piridielmetiel)-naftaleen diimied (L2), N,N'-bis(4-piridielmetiel)- piromellitien diimied (L3), N,N'-bis(3-piridielmetiel)-piromellitien diimied (L4) en 2-(piridiel-4- ielmetiel)benseen trianhidried (L5) is gesintetiseer. Ligande L1 en L2 is gereageer met metaal nitrate en karboksielsure as mede-ligande in 'n sistematiese wyse met 'n oog op die verkryging van potensieel poreuse 3–D koördinasie polimere. Tien struktureel diverse koördinasie polimere is verkry en hulle is gekarakteriseer deur enkel-kristal X-straal-diffraksie, poeier X-straal diffraksie en termo-analise (thermal analysis). Vier van hierdie verbindings het matige hoeveelhede CO2 geabsorbeer en, bykomend, wys sorpsie selektiwiteit van CO2 oor N2. Die reaksie van L3 en L4 met oorgangsmetaalhaliede het twee 1–D kettings gevorm, terwyl die reaksie van L5 met oorgangsmetaal nitrate sewe koördinasie polimere opgelewer het, waarvan vier 2–D en drie 1–D polimere is. Van die 2–D polimere het drie vergelykbare strukture. Die tweede deel van hierdie werk beskryf 'n veranderlike druk studie van 'n buigsame metaalorganiese raamwerk [Zn2(BDC)2(BPY)] (BPY = 4,4-bipiridien en BDC = 1,4-benseen dikarboksielsuur). [Zn2(BDC)2(BPY)] is een van die min voorbeelde van 'n buigsame metaalorganiese raamwerk wat fase transformasies (phase transformations) ondergaan in respons op ‘n verandering in gas druk. Die hoë-druk sorpsie aangeteken vir hierdie metaal-organiese raamwerk vertoon twee infleksie stappe in die gebestudeerde druk gebied (0 tot 30 bar), wat moontlik op twee fase transformasies dui. Die gas-gelaaide strukture vir elke fase transformasie is bepaal deur middel van enkel-kristal X-straal-diffraksie. Hoë-druk differensiële skandeer kalorimetrie (differential scanning calorimetry) is ook uitgevoer op die stelsel ten einde dié akkurate hekopenings druk, sowel as die energie betrokke by elke fase transformasie te bepaal. Die resultate stem ooreen met dié verkry vanaf enkel-kristal X-straal diffraksie en hoë-druk sorpsie. Die finale afdeling bespreek die meganochemiese sintese van twee Werner komplekse [NiCl2(4-PhPy)4] (1) en [COCl2(4-PhPy)4] (2) en hul ooreenstemmende vaste oplossing (solid solution) [Ni0.5Co0.5Cl2(4-PhPy)4] (3). Die vaste oplossing kan slegs gevorm word deur meganochemiese sintese en nie deur konvensionele oplossing kristallisasie metodes. Die vaste oplossing vertoon sorpsie eienskappe wat verskil van dié van die suiwer verbindings.

The synthesis of a scandium aluminium methylphosphonate ScAl₃(CH₃PO₃)₆ isostructural to the aluminium methylphosphonate AlMePO-α and with permanent microporosity is reported here for the first time. Structural characterisation of three lanthanide bisphosphonate structures (I,II,III) with the light lanthanides and N,N'-piperazine bis-(methylenephosphonic acid) and its 2-methyl and 2,5-dimethyl derivatives is described. The framework of structure type I shows considerable flexibility upon dehydration with a symmetry change from C2/c, a = 23.5864(2) Å, b = 12.1186(2) Å, c = 5.6613(2) Å, β = 93.040(2)˚) in the hydrated state to P2₁/n, a = 21.8361(12) Å, b = 9.3519(4) Å, c = 5.5629(3) Å, β = 96.560(4)˚ after dehydration. This cell volume reduces by 27% on dehydration and is accompanied by a change in the conformation of the piperazine ring from chair to boat configuration. The structures of type I (hydrated and dehydrated) were refined against synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. Despite the reversible hydration and flexibility, the structures possess no permanent porosity. Investigation of the solvothermal chemistry of scandium carboxylates identified routes to 7 framework structures 5 of which were previously unreported in the scandium system. Lower temperature solvothermal reactions using terephthalic acid (80 - 140°C using dimethylformamide and diethylformamide) yielded two scandium terephthalates, MIL-88B(Sc) and MIL-101(Sc), identified by laboratory X-ray powder diffraction. Whereas higher temperature (160 – 220°C), reactions gave MIL-53(Sc) and Sc₂BDC₃. Further study with the tri- and tetra-carboxylate linkers, trimesic acid, 3,3',5,5'-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid and pyromellitic acid yielded MIL-100(Sc), Sc-ABTC and Sc₄PMA₃ respectively. Structural identification of MIL-100(Sc) and Sc-ABTC was performed by means of X-ray powder diffraction analysis and of Sc₄PMA₃ by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of a small pore scandium terephthalate Sc₂BDC₃ was investigated as a function of temperature and of functionalization. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, collected on a Sc₂BDC₃ in vacuo, enabled a phase change from orthorhombic Fddd to monoclinic C2/c and the associated structural effects to be observed in detail. The orthorhombic structure displayed a negative thermal expansivity of 2.4 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ over the temperature range 225 – 523 K which Rietveld analysis showed to be derived from carboxylate group rotation. Motion within the framework was studied by ²H wide-line and MAS NMR on deuterated Sc₂BDC₃ indicating π flips can occur in the phenyl rings above 298 K. The effects of functionalization on the Sc₂BDC₃ framework were investigated by reactions using the 2-amino- and 2-nitroterephthalic acid and gave evidence for a strong structural effect resulting from inclusion of the functional groups. The structure of Sc₂BDC₃ and the functionalised derivatives were solved using Rietveld analysis on synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ was solved using the orthorhombic Sc₂BDC₃ framework starting model and, over the temperature range studied, stayed orthorhombic Fddd. Sc₂(NO₂-BDC)₃, was shown to be monoclinic C2/c over the same temperature range, a result of the steric effects of the bulky –NO₂ group in a small pore framework. Partial ordering of the functional groups was observed in both Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ and Sc₂(NO₂-BDC)₃. The strength of interaction for the Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ with CO₂ was higher than that of the parent Sc₂BDC₃ due to the strong –NH₂•••CO₂ interaction. Despite the inclusion of a relatively large –NO₂ group along the walls of a channel ~4 Å in diameter the Sc₂(NO₂-BDC)₃ still showed permanent microporosity to CO₂ (2.6 mmol g⁻¹) suggesting that there must be some motion in the -NO₂ group to allow the CO₂ molecules to diffuse through the channels. The scandium analogue of the flexible terephthalate MIL-53, a competitive phase in the synthesis of Sc₂BDC₃, was prepared and characterised by Rietveld analysis on synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data using a combination of literature structural models and models obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Experimental solid state ⁴⁵Sc, ¹³C and ¹H NMR data combined with NMR calculations on the structural models produced from diffraction analysis were used to identify the hydrated (MIL-53(Sc)-H₂O), calcined (MIL-53(Sc)-CAL) and high temperature (MIL-53(Sc)-HT) structures of MIL-53(Sc). Further to this the 2-nitroterephthalate derivative, MIL-53(Sc)-NO₂, was prepared and characterised using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The adsorptive properties of the parent terephthalate and the functionalised derivative were compared and in both cases showed a breathing behaviour, exemplified by steps in the adsorption isotherms. MIL-53(Sc)-CAL was found to possess a closed pore configuration in the dehydrated state, a previously unreported structural form for the MIL-53 series, and its presence can be observed in the low pressure region of the CO₂ adsorption isotherm as a non-porous plateau. The selectivity and separation properties of two MOFs, the nickel bisphosphonate, STA-12(Ni) and the scandium carboxylate, Sc₂BDC₃ were measured using breakthrough curves on mixtures of CH₄ and CO₂. The results showed both materials to be highly selective in the adsorption of CO₂ over CH₄. Column testing using a PLOT column of STA-12(Ni) and a packed column of Sc₂BDC₃ showed promising preliminary results with STA-12(Ni) displaying effective, baseline separation on low boiling point hydrocarbon mixtures (C1 – C4) while the smaller pore channels of Sc₂BDC₃ were effective in the size selective separation of higher boiling point branched and straight-chain hydrocarbons (C5 – C7).

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are nanoporous framework materials with tunable pore size and functionality, and hence attractive for gas separation membrane applications. Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs), a subclass of MOFs, are known for their high thermal and chemical stability. ZIF-8 has demonstrated potential to kinetically separate propane/propene in powder and membrane form. ZIF-8 membranes propane-propene separation performance is superior in comparison to polymer, mixed matrix and carbon membranes. The overarching theme of my research is to address challenges that hinder fabrication of MOF membranes on a commercial scale and in a reproducible and scalable manner. 1. Current approaches, are specific to a given ZIF, a general synthesis route is not available. Use of multiple steps for surface modification or seeding causes reproducibility and scalability issues. 2. Conventional fabrication techniques are batch processes, thereby limiting their commercialization. Here we demonstrate two new approaches that can potentially address these challenges. First, we report one step in situ synthesis of ZIF-8 membranes on more commonly used porous α-alumina supports. By incorporating sodium formate in the in situ growth solution, well intergrown ZIF-8 membranes were synthesized on unmodified supports. The mechanism by which sodium formate promotes heterogeneous nucleation was investigated. Sodium formate reacts with zinc source to form zinc oxide layer, which in turn promotes heterogeneous nucleation. Sodium formate promotes heterogeneous nucleation in other ZIF systems as well, leading to ZIF-7, Zn(Im)2 (ZIF-61 analogue), ZIF-90, and SIM-1 films. Thus one step in situ growth using sodium formate provides a simplified, reproducible and potentially general route for ZIF film fabrication. One step in situ route, although advantageous; is still conventional in nature and batch process with long synthesis time. This limits commercialization, due to scalability and manufacturing cost issues. Taking advantage of coordination chemistry of MOFs and using temperature as driving force, continuous well-intergrown membranes of HKUST-1 and ZIF-8 in relatively short time (15 min) using Rapid Thermal Deposition (RTD). With minimum precursor consumption and simplified synthesis protocol, RTD provides potential for a continuous, scalable, reproducible and commercializable route for MOF membrane fabrication. RTD-prepared MOF membranes show improved separation performances, indicating improved microstructure.