La protection de l’environnement et de la santé humaine représente une préoccupation éthique et scientifique primordiale. Les dioxines/furanes, produits, entre autres, par les processus d’incinération de déchets, font partie des polluants les plus dangereux de par leur stabilité et leur faculté à être bio-accumulés. Les polychlorobenzènes sont souvent référencés comme molécules modèles de ces composés et seront utilisés en tant que tels dans ces travaux de thèse. Grâce à leurs structures microporeuses organisées qui leur confèrent de remarquables capacités d’adsorption, les zéolithes et les Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) représentent des matériaux de choix pour piéger ces polluants organiques. Leur mise en forme sous forme de billes par exemple offre l’avantage de s’affranchir de problèmes tels que le colmatage ou les pertes de charges trop importantes pouvant apparaître pour une application à l’échelle industrielle. C’est pourquoi, cette thèse vise à élaborer et caractériser des adsorbants zéolithiques et de type MOF, de les mettre en forme et d’étudier leurs propriétés d’adsorption vis-à-vis de polychlorobenzènes/dioxines/furanes. L’ensemble des zéolithes et MOFs ont été sélectionnés et préparés de sorte à optimiser leurs caractéristiques structurales, texturales et morphologiques pour les applications ciblées. Une étude sur la mise en forme de la zéolithe de type FAU a conduit à l’élaboration de billes présentant de bonnes propriétés mécanique et d’adsorption. Les différentes mesures d’adsorption de polychlorobenzènes/dioxines/furanes en phases gaz et liquide ont permis de mettre en évidence les meilleurs matériaux pour l’adsorption sélective de ces polluants à l’émission d’usines d’incinération de déchets. / Environmental and human health protection is a scientific and ethical concern. Dioxin/furan compounds, produced from waste incineration process among other, are ones of the most dangerous pollutants due to their stability and ability to bio-accumulate. Polychlorobenzenes are often referred as model molecules of these compounds and will be used as it in this PhD work. Thanks to their microporous organized structures which confer to them remarkable adsorption capacities, zeolites and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are interesting materials to trap these organic pollutants. Their shaping as beads for example offer the advantage to overcome problems such as clogging or excessive pressure losses that can appear for an industrial application. Therefore, the aim of this PhD is to prepare and characterize zeolite and MOF, to shape them and to study their adsorption properties for polychlorobenzenes/dioxins/furans. All zeolites and MOFs have been selected and prepared in order to optimize their structural, textural and morphological characteristics for the intended application. A study on the shaping of the FAU-type zeolite has allowed the development of beads with good mechanical and adsorption properties. The different polychlorobenzenes/dioxins/furans adsorption tests into gas and liquid phases allowed identifying the best solids for the selective adsorption of these pollutants in waste incineration plant emissions.

The search for new materials for hydrogen storage is important for the development of future hydrogen energy applications. In this Thesis, it is shown that new materials with interesting properties can be synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen with various nanocarbon precursors. The thesis consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to studies of hydrogen storage in some metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanostructured carbon materials, while the second part describes synthesis of new materials by the reaction of hydrogen gas with various carbon materials (i.e. fullerene C60, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and fullerene C60 encapsulated inside SWCNTs (C60@SWCNTs)). Hydrogen adsorption was measured for a set of Zn- and Co-based MOFs at near ambient temperatures. MOFs synthesized using different metal clusters and organic connecting ligands allowed to study effects of different surface area, pore volume, and pore shapes on hydrogen storage parameters. Hydrogen adsorption values in the studied MOFs correlated well with surface area and pore volume but did not exceed 0,75wt.%. Therefore, new methods to improve the hydrogen storage capacity in MOFs were investigated. The addition of metal catalysts was previously reported to improve significantly hydrogen storage in MOFs. In this thesis the effect of Pt catalyst addition on hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 was not confirmed. Contrary to previous reports, hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 mixed/modified with Pt catalysts had fast kinetics, correlated well with surface area, and was on the same level as for unmodified MOF-5. New nanostructured carbon materials were synthesized by the reaction between fullerene C60 and coronene/anthracene. Despite negligible surface area these materials adsorbed up to 0,45wt.% of hydrogen at ambient temperatures. The reaction of fullerene C60 with hydrogen gas was studied at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures. In situ gravimetric monitoring of the reaction was performed in a broad temperature interval with/without addition of metal catalysts (i.e. Pt and Ni). The reaction resulted in synthesis of hydrogenated fullerenes C60Hx (with x≤56) followed by fullerene cage fragmentation and collapse upon prolonged duration of hydrogen treatment. Possible mechanisms of C60 hydrogenation and fragmentation were discussed. It is demonstrated that reaction of SWCNTs with hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures can be used for nanotube opening, purification from amorphous carbon, side-wall hydrogenation, and partial unzipping of SWCNTs. Some graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were synthesized as the result of SWCNTs unzipping. A surprising ability of hydrogen to penetrate inside SWNTs and to react with encapsulated fullerene C60 was demonstrated. / Sökandet efter nya material för vätelagring är viktigt för utveckling av framtida väteenergitillämpningar. I denna avhandling visas att nya material med intressanta egenskaper kan syntetiseras genom reaktion av väte med olika nanokolprekursorer. Avhandlingen består av två delar. Den första delen ägnas åt studier av vätelagring i vissa metall-organiska fackverk (så kallade MOFs) och nanostrukturerade kolmaterial medan den andra delen beskriver syntes av nya material genom reaktion av vätgas med olika kolmaterial (dvs. fulleren C60, enkelväggiga kolnanorör (SWCNTs) och fulleren C60 kapslat i SWCNTs (C60 @ SWCNTs)). Väteadsorptionen mättes för ett antal Zn- och Co-baserade MOFs vid rumstemperatur. MOFs syntetiserades med hjälp av olika metallkluster och organiska ligander för att studera effekterna av olika yta, porvolym och porformer på vätelagringsparametrarna. Väteadsorptionsvärden i de studerade MOFs korrelerade väl med yta och porvolym, men översteg inte 0,75wt.%. Därför undersöktes nya metoder för att förbättra kapaciteten för vätelagring i MOFs. Tillsättning av metallkatalysatorer har tidigare rapporterats avsevärt förbättra vätelagring i MOFs. I denna avhandling kunde effekten av en tillsats av Pt-katalysator på väteadsorption i MOF-5 inte bekräftas. I motsats till tidigare rapporter hade väteadsorption i MOF-5 blandad/modifierad med Pt-katalysatorer snabb kinetik och korrelerade väl med arean, men var på samma nivå som för omodifierad MOF-5. Nya nanostrukturerade kolmaterial syntetiserades genom reaktion mellan fulleren C60 och coronene/antracene. Trots försumbar yta adsorberade dessa material upp till 0,45wt.% väte vid rumstemperatur. Reaktionen av fulleren C60 med vätgas studerades vid förhöjda temperaturer och vätetryck. In situ gravimetrisk övervakning av reaktionen utfördes i ett brett temperaturintervall med/utan tillsats av metallkatalysatorer (dvs. Pt och Ni). Reaktionen resulterade i syntes av hydrogenerade fullerener C60Hx (med x≤56) följt av fragmentering och kollaps av fullerenstrukturen vid förlängd varaktighet av vätebehandlingen. Möjliga mekanismer för hydrering och fragmentering av C60 diskuteras. Det har visats att reaktionen mellan SWCNTs och vätgas vid förhöjda temperaturer och vätetryck kan användas för öppning av nanorör, borttagning av amorft kol, funktionalisering av sidoväggar och partiell "blixtlåsöppning" av SWCNTs. Reaktionen kan också syntetisera grafen-nanoband (GNRs) som en följd av att SWCNTs öppnas på längden. En överraskande stor förmåga för väte att tränga in i SWNT och där reagera med inkapslade fullerenmolekyler C60 demonstrerades.

In dieser Arbeit werden verschiedene MOF Materialien die sich für die Wasseradsorption eignen hinsichtlich Ihrer Wasseradsorptionseigenschaften untersucht. Das vielversprechendste Material wird ausgewählt und an einem Prüfstand für Lufttrocknerkartuschen untersucht. Für diese Messungen ist eine geeignete Formgebung des Pulvers von Nöten, welche eine wichtige Rolle in dieser Arbeit spielt. Das Material Cu3(BTC)2 wurde hier zu monolithischen Formkörpern verarbeitet. Eine weitere Art der Formgebung war das Pressen von Papieren sowie das direkte Kristallwachstum auf Zellulose Fasern. Desweiteren wurden die Materialien hinsichtlich der Trocknung von n-Heptan untersucht, was hier als Referenz für Dieselkraftstoffe herangezogen wurde. Die Analytik wurde mittels Karl-Fischer Titration duchgeführt. MOF Materialien wurden in beiden Fällen mit kommerziell verwendeten Zeolithen und Silikagel verglichen. / Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were investigated for their possible use in drying of compressed air in air braking systems for commercial vehicles. Another possible application was the drying of diesel fuel. In this context, n-heptane was chosen as a reference for diesel fuel. Selected metal-organic frameworks were characterized regarding the water adsorption properties by recording water adsorption isotherms. The most promising material was further investigated on a air-drying cartridge test rig. In order to perform these tests, the powder had to be processed to monolithic structures, beads or paper sheets,i.e. a shape that is suitable for the given application. The MOF Cu3(BTC)2 was sucessfully extruded to monolithic structures, which were used in the test rig experiments. Another possibility for immobilization of Cu3(BTC)2 was the crystal growth on pulp fibers. N-heptane drying isotherms were measured on selected samples making use of Karl-Fischer coulometric titration. In both applications, MOF materials were compared with silica based desiccants.

<div> <p>Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of compounds consisting of metal ions or clusters coordinated to organic ligands in porous structure forms. MOFs have been proposed in use for gas adsorption, purification, and separation applications. This work combines MOFs with 3D printing technologies, in which 3D printed plastics serve as a mechanical structural support for MOFs powder, in order to realize a component design for gas adsorption. The objective of the thesis is to understand the gas adsorption behavior of MIL-101 (Cr) MOF coated on 3D printed PETG, a glycol modified version of polyethylene terephthalate, through a combined experimental and modeling study. The specific goals are: (1) synthesis of MIL-101 (Cr) MOFs; (2) nitrogen gas adsorption measurements and microstructure and phase characterization of the MOFs; (3) design and 3D printing of porous PETG substrate structures; (4) deposition of MOFs coating on the PETG substrates; and (5) Monte Carlo (MC) modeling of sorption isotherms of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the MOFs.</p><p>The results show that pure MIL-101 (Cr) MOFs were successfully synthesized, as confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffrac- tion (XRD), which are consistent with literature data. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement shows that the MOFs samples have a high cover- age of nitrogen. The specific surface area of a typical MIL-101 (Cr) MOFs sample is 2716.83 m2/g. MIL-101 (Cr) also shows good uptake at low pressures in experimental tests for nitrogen adsorption. For the PETG substrate, disk-shape plastic samples with a controlled pore morphology were designed and fabricated using the fused de-</p><p> </p><p>position modeling (FDM) process. MOFs were coated on the PETG substrates using a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly approach, up to 30 layers. The MOFs coating layer thicknesses increase with the number of deposition layers. The computational model illustrates that the MOFs show increased outputs in adsorption of nitrogen as pres- sure increases, similar to the trend observed in the adsorption experiment. The model also shows promising results for carbon dioxide uptake at low pressures, and hence the developed MOFs based components would serve as a viable candidate in gas adsorption applications.</p><div><br></div></div>

No description available.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of materials exhibiting desirable properties and functionalities for a variety of applications, including catalysis, molecular separation, gas storage, and mechanical reinforcement. However, the majority of MOFs exist as particulate powders, limiting their transportability and applicability in practical fields. Polymers, on the other hand, are one of the most widely used materials in the world owing to their facile processability and low production cost. Combining MOFs and polymers to form MOF-polymer composites can potentially maintain the merits of both materials while overcoming drawbacks of each individual component. Specifically, MOFs are promising candidates as mechanical reinforcers for polymers because of their low density, high specific modulus, and controllable dimensions. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive investigation into the chemistry and mechanical properties of MOF-polymer composites. Various governing parameters, including particle aspect ratio (AR), MOF-particle interface, and intrinsic mechanical properties of MOFs, were thoroughly studied to construct an optimal pathway for fabricating mechanically reinforced MOF-polymer composites. Chapter 1 presents an introduction to MOFs, polymer composites, and mechanical properties and characterizations of polymeric materials. It serves as a foundation of this dissertation and outlines essential concepts for the scientific background. The primary factors that impact the mechanical properties of polymer composite are highlighted, leading to the following three research chapters. Comprehensive background on various characterization techniques that aim at mechanical properties is covered in detail. Chapter 2 focuses on the role of MOF AR on the mechanical properties of MOF-polymer composites. PCN-222, a Zr-MOF with porphyrin linkers, was synthesized with AR ranging from 3.4 to 54. The crystallinity and chemical structure of the MOFs remained consistent for different ARs, ensuring that the AR was the only variable in determining the mechanical reinforcement. Fabricated through the doctor-blade technique, the MOF-PMMA composite films showed homogeneous MOF distribution and alignment. Tensile tests revealed that Young's modulus of the composites increased with MOF AR, exhibiting a good agreement with a modified Halpin-Tsai model. Both storage and loss moduli were also enhanced following increased MOF AR. In addition, the thermal stability was also improved with the addition of MOF particles. In Chapter 3, the authors extend the understanding of mechanical properties of MOF-polymer composites to the interfacial properties between the two materials. Pristine MOFs often lack strong interactions with a polymer matrix due to the difference in chemical/physical properties. The authors developed a three-step synthetic route to grow PMMA on the surface of PCN-222. Owing to an efficient surface-initiated polymerization technique, the PMMA was successfully grafted with high molecular weight and grafting density. The molecular weight of PMMA could be controlled by simply varying polymerization time. The PMMA-grafted PCN-222 was manufactured along with PMMA matrix to form composite films. Mechanical analysis proved that the mechanical reinforcement was improved with increasing grafted molecular weight. Chapter 4 presents an experimental approach to unveil the structure-mechanical property of MOF single crystals, which provides insights on designing MOFs with desired mechanical strength. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a subdivision of MOFs, were chosen as the template owing to their facile synthesis, structural diversity, and high crystallinity. Two types of micron-sized ZIFs, ZIF-8 with Zn2+ node and ZIF-67 with Co2+ node, were synthesized to compare the effect of metal-linker bond. Moreover, the linker composition was varied to examine the difference in crystal structure and defect level. The mechanical properties of these ZIF samples were revealed by nanoindentation on single particles. Overall, the stronger metal-linker bond and high crystallinity were able to yield the highest elastic modulus and hardness. Finally, Chapter 5 offers a comprehensive review on polymer-grafted MOF particles regarding the synthesis and applications associated with surface-anchored polymers. Various polymerization techniques were summarized, and their adjustment and limitations with respect to MOFs were highlighted. The novel and unique applications arisen from polymer-grafted MOFs and Mixed Matrix Membranes were thoroughly discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy / Polymer composites, a combination of polymer matrix and particle fillers, have shown great applicability in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. For example, rubber tires, composed of synthetic polymeric rubber and inorganic particle fillers (e.g., carbon black and glass fiber), have been a great booster for modern society owing to their durability and mechanical strength. Aircraft are also made of roughly 50% composite materials, because of their lightweight and high mechanical strength. Herein, we present a novel type of polymer composite using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as mechanical reinforcers. Thanks to the low density, high modulus, and tunable geometry, MOFs can be ideal candidates for mechanically reinforced polymer composites. In this dissertation, several fundamental parameters that impact the mechanical properties of MOF-polymer composites are discussed. The intent of this work is to provide mechanistic insights on the development of outstanding lightweight composites with efficient mechanical reinforcement.

No description available.

No description available.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention in the past few decades due to their ordered, crystalline nature, synthetic tunability, and porosity. MOFs represent a class of hybrid inorganic-organic materials that have been investigated for their applications in areas such as gas sorption and separation, catalysis, drug delivery, and electron or proton conduction. It has been the goal of my graduate research to investigate MOFs for their ability to transport electrons and store and separate gases for ultimate catalytic applications in alternative energy generation. I aim to provide new insight into the design and development of stable MOFs for such applications. We first investigated a cobalt(III) porphyrin based MOF comprised of Co(II)-carboxylate nodes, designated as CoPIZA, for its electron transport capabilities. Thin films of CoPIZA were formed solvothermally on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates and used for electrochemical characterization. Electrochemistry coupled with spectroscopic analysis of the CoPIZA film revealed reversible reduction of the cobalt centers of the porphyrin linkers with maintenance of the overall framework structure. The mechanism of charge transport throughout the film was facilitated by redox hopping of electrons between the metal centers of the nodes and linkers. The ability to incorporate desired properties, such as pore functionalities or open metal centers, into frameworks makes them attractive for applications in separation of gaseous mixtures, such as CO2/N2 from combustion power plants. To investigate the selective adsorption properties, we performed gas sorption measurements on bulk MOF materials to determine their affinity toward CO2. Two Zn-based MOFs containing 2,5-pyridine dicarboxylate linkers were prepared in our laboratory and contained unsaturated Zn(II) metal centers, which possess a binding site on the metal without an activation procedure to remove bound solvent molecules. These MOFs were compared to the well-known Zn-based MOF-69C containing 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate linkers. Thermodynamic analysis of the gas sorption data revealed that the mechanism of CO2 binding involved the coordinatively unsaturated Zn(II) center. The microporous MOF also demonstrated selectivity for CO2 over N2 under the same conditions. As these materials were able to uptake CO2, their ability to transport electrons was also investigated for ultimate applications in catalysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed on the bulk MOF powders and was coupled with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These results determined that the conduction mechanism proceeded via solvent molecules within the pores of the framework. The catalytic ability toward water oxidation of two MOFs was investigated electrochemically. Initial studies focused on a cobalt-based MOF comprised of 2-pyrimidinolate (pymo) linkers, designated as Co(pymo)2, which was prepared on FTO via drop-casting and used for electrochemical experiments. At applied anodic potentials, the CoII centers of Co(pymo)2 became oxidized to form a Co-oxide species on the electrode surface, which was found to be the active catalysis for water oxidation. Further investigations utilized a notably more stable Zr-based MOF with nickel(II) porphyrin linkers, designated as PCN-224-Ni. PCN-224-Ni was prepared solvothermally on FTO and used directly for electrochemical water oxidation. The mechanism of water oxidation at PCN-224-Ni proceeds via oxidation of the porphyrin macrocycle followed by binding of water to the Ni(II) center. Cooperative proton transfer to the Zr-oxo node facilitated water oxidation with the eventual release of O2. Thorough characterization revealed that PCN-224-Ni retained its structural integrity over the course of electrochemical catalysis. These results have allowed us a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of electron transport and conduction throughout frameworks. Specifically, the incorporation of metalloporphyrin molecules with redox active metal centers coupled with the presence of redox active metal nodes resulted in redox hopping charge transport throughout the MOF. In addition, the presence of solvent molecules in the pores of the framework provided an extended network for charge transport. We have gained insight into the structure-function relationship of MOFs for applications in selective gas sorption, where an unsaturated metal center serves as the binding site for gas molecules. Finally, through selection of the components that comprise the framework, a stable metalloporphyrin MOF was found to be capable of electrochemically facilitating the water oxidation reaction. As a result, we have gained valuable insight into the properties of frameworks necessary for charge transport and stability, which will allow for further improvements in the smart design of MOFs for catalytic applications. / Ph. D.

Designing new materials for CO₂ capture and utilization is one of the most challenging research topics. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one of the most efficient CO₂ adsorbents, as well as an emerging class of heterogeneous catalysts for CO₂ chemical transformations. Highlighted by their high content of active centers, large internal surface areas, tunable pore size, and versatile chemical functionalities, MOFs can serve as highly stable and reusable heterogeneous catalysts and provide a great platform to explore the structure-function relationships for transforming CO₂ into useful chemicals. In this dissertation, we aim to develop a new class of metal-cyclam based robust MOFs as porous materials for CO₂ uptake as well as efficient catalysts for CO₂ chemical transformations, including CO₂ chemical fixation, CO₂ photo- and electroreduction. Chapter 1 introduces the concept and main challenges of CO₂ capture and conversion. The potential of metal-cyclam complexes as molecular catalysts for CO₂ conversion is also mentioned. The current state of the art in designing stable MOFs and azamacrocyclic-based MOFs is briefly discussed. Finally, the strategies, challenges and future outlook of using MOF as catalysts in CO₂ chemical transformation are summarized. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as highly ordered, tunable hybrid materials have shown great promise in photon collection, energy transfer and photocatalytic reactions. In Chapter 2, the fundamental principles of energy transfer in the condensed phase are summarized, and a series of studies in light-harvesting, excited state quenching and photo-excited reactivity occurring within ruthenium-polypyridyl-doped zirconium MOFs are reviewed. The application of MOFs in energy conversion devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) is also discussed. Chapter 3 reports two new robust 3D porous metal-cyclam based Zr-MOFs, VPI-100 (Cu) and VPI-100 (Ni) with potential as heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 chemical fixation. The frameworks are prepared by a modulated synthetic strategy and the structure highlighted by eight-connected Zr₆ clusters and metallocyclams as organic linkers. The VPI-100 MOFs exhibit excellent chemical stability in various organic and aqueous solvents over a wide pH range and show high CO₂ uptake capacity (up to ∼9.83 wt% adsorption at 273 K under 1 atm). Moreover, VPI-100 MOFs demonstrate some of the highest reported catalytic activity values (turnover frequency and conversion efficiency) among Zr-based MOFs for the chemical fixation of CO₂ with epoxides. The MOFs, which bear dual catalytic sites (Zr and Cu/Ni), enable chemistry not possible with the cyclam ligand under the same conditions and can be used as recoverable stable heterogeneous catalysts without losing performance. A follow-up study of CO₂ chemical fixation using Hf analogs of VPI-100 is presented in Chapter 4. Structural characterization and catalytic performance of Hf-VPI-100 are summarized. Moreover, a detailed comparison of VPI-100 and Hf-VPI-100 is made. In situ powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) have been used to probe the interaction between the guest molecules (CO₂/epoxide) and Hf-VPI-100. For CO₂, no specific chemical binding sites in MOFs has been observed and the uptake of CO₂ does not change the crystal structure of Hf-VPI-100. Both QCM and DRIFTs revealed the irreversible binding between the framework and 1,2-epoxybutane. The epoxide uptake per unit cell of VPI-100 MOFs and diffusion coefficients have been calculated by QCM analysis. Transition metal complexes capable of visible light-triggered cytotoxicity are appealing potential candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. In Chapter 5, two monometallic polyazine complexes, [(Ph₂phen)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺ and [(Ph₂phen)₂Os(dpp)]⁺ (Ph₂phen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; dpp =2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine), were synthesized, characterized and studied as light activated drugs to kill rat malignant glioma F98 cells. Both compounds display strong absorption in visible spectrum, oxygen-mediated DNA and BSA photocleavage and significant photocytotoxicity under blue light irradiation along with negligible activity in the dark. The compounds show approximately five-fold higher cytotoxicity compared the traditional chemotherapeutic drug, cisplatin. Furthermore, [(Ph₂phen)₂Os(dpp)]⁺ shows promising photocytotoxicity in F98 rat malignant glioma cells within the phototherapeutic window with an IC50 value of (86.07±8.48) µM under red light (625 nm) irradiation. In Chapter 6, the mixed-metal supramolecular complex, [(Ph₂phen)₂Ru-(dpp)PtCl₂]²⁺, was found to display significant DNA modification, cell growth inhibition, and toxicity towards F98 malignant glioma cells following visible light irradiation. The design of this complex has a significantly higher potential for membrane permeability than three other FDA-approved anti-cancer agents, including cisplatin, and exhibited a dramatic ten-fold higher uptake by F98 cells than cisplatin in a two-hour window. Based on studies with a rat glioma cell line, the compound has very low cytotoxicity in the dark, but results in substantial cell death upon light treatment. The complex is thus among the first to exhibit all the hallmarks of a very promising new class of PDT agents. / Ph. D. / Increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have triggered a series of environmental effects, including global warming and ocean acidification. Scientists are trying to develop new materials to capture and convert CO₂ into useful chemical products. However, the main challenge is that CO₂, the gas generated upon burning fossil fuels, has strong C=O bonds that are hard to break. In other words, it is too stable to be easily changed into other compounds. A class of highly porous materials known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess significant potential for CO₂ adsorption uptake and chemical fixation. MOFs are metal ions or clusters held together by organic linkers to make highly ordered, crystalline 3D structures with tunable porosity and functionality. The design and synthesis of MOFs is similar to playing with Legos at the molecular level; you need to pick the right pieces (metal nodes and linkers) to get your desired structure. In this dissertation, we aim to develop a new class of macrocycle complexes based stable MOFs as porous materials for CO₂ uptake as well as efficient catalysts for CO₂ chemical transformations. We have developed two new stable three dimensional porous frameworks, VPI-100 (Cu) and VPI-100 (Ni) as catalysts for CO₂ chemical fixation. The new 3D robust MOFs named VPI-100 (VPI = Virginia Polytechnic Institute) are assembled by the reaction of zirconium oxo clusters and linkers bearing metal complexes. Using the metal complexes as the linker provides additional metal active sites in the framework that can act as accessible catalytic centers for CO₂ conversion. The VPI-100 MOFs are not only able to convert CO₂ to cyclic carbonates (important industrial chemicals) in high efficiency (~ 98%), but also can be reused for multiple cycles. The heterogeneous catalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and the active metal centers are earth-abundant transition metals (Cu and Ni), which are cost effective. Additionally, VPI-100 MOFs also show high CO₂ uptake capacity (up to ~10 wt%) at ambient pressure. Since the MOFs can enhance the local concentration of CO₂ around the active catalytic centers located inside the pores of the framework, these materials could be used as catalysts for flow chemistry, which is widely used in industry. We further investigated the CO₂ chemical fixation using Hf analogs of VPI-100. Structural characterization and catalytic performance of Hf-VPI-100 are summarized. Moreover, a detailed comparison of VPI-100 and Hf-VPI-100 is made. Different analytical techniques have been used to further understand the reaction mechanism as well as the interaction between the CO₂/epoxide and the frameworks. These insights would help us to design new MOFs as better catalysts for practical applications.