Synthesis and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks Based Functional Nanomaterials

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), constructed by metal ions coordinated with organic ligands, are a class of porous crystalline materials with tunable porosity, large surface area, as well as high thermal and chemical stability. These characteristics associated with structural diversity from the variability of inorganic and organic components make MOFs promising candidates for applications in energy storage, biomedicine, and sensor.

The thesis starts with a review of generally synthesis strategies of metal–organic frameworks based nanomaterials and their applications in the fields of energy storage, sensor, and biomedicine. In chapter 4, we present an approach for engineering the morphology and pore structure of MOF-derived carbon nanomaterials by controlling the formation of ZIF-8 precursor crystals with tri-block co-polymer Pluronic F127. We show that F127 directs the formation of one-dimensional morphology and contributes to the creation of extra pores in ZIF-8 nanocrystals, which lead to the formation of unusual rod-shaped carbon nanomaterials with a bimodal distribution of pores through pyrolysis. This unique microstructure makes the materials suitable for use as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

In chapter 5, we synthesized a series of mixed lanthanide MOFs (LnMOFs) of Tb/Eu-BTC (H3BTC = Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) films on quartz substrates by a one-step wet chemical synthesis. Furthermore, we explored their temperature dependence of the luminescence intensity ratio of Tb3+ at 549nm and Eu3+ at 617nm for ratiometric thermometry. This lanthanide MOFs thermometer exhibits a significant change in emission color from green to red with high sensitivity. The colorimetric property of the LnMOF film thermometer was exploited for real-time temperature mapping.

In chapter 6, we synthesized neodymium(III)-based metal–organic frameworks (Nd-BTC) nanoflakes. The Nd-BTC nanoflakes were encapsulated in the calcium alginate to enhance the biocompatibility and reduce the toxicity to cells. The Nd-BTC nanoflakes exhibit high thermal conversion efficiency and hold promise as photothermal agents in photothermal therapy.

Date of Award	10 Jun 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	City University of Hong Kong
Supervisor	Feng WANG (Supervisor)