Solvent-Induced Control over Breathing Behavior in Flexible Metal-Organic Frameworks for Natural-Gas Delivery

Abstract

© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Finding appropriate stimuli for controlling the breathing behavior of flexible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly challenging. Herein, we report the solvent-induced changes in the particle size and stability of different breathing phases of the MIL-53 series, a group of flexible MOFs. A water/dimethylformamide (DMF) ratio is tuned to synthesize members of the MIL-53 series which have different behaviors. The breathing is explored by high-pressure methane sorption tests. Increasing DMF concentration decreases MOF particle size and increases the stability of the porous phases, boosting the 5.8–65 bar sorption difference of methane, which is required for natural-gas delivery.