Electrochemical synthesis,characterization and application of a microstructure Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BTC)<Subscript>2</Subscript> metal organic framework for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> separation

The electrochemical route is a promising and environmentally friendly technique for fabrication of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) due to mild synthesis condition, short time for crystal growth and ease of scale up. A microstructure Cu₃(BTC)₂ MOF was synthesized through electrochemical path and successfully employed for CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption. Characterization and structural investigation of the MOF was carried out by XRD, FE-SEM, TGA, FTIR and BET analyses. The highest amount of carbon dioxide and methane sorption was 26.89 and 6.63 wt%, respectively, at 298 K. The heat of adsorption for CO₂ decreased monotonically, while an opposite trend was observed for CH₄. The results also revealed that the selectivity of the developed MOF towards CO₂ over CH₄ enhanced with increase of pressure and composition of carbon dioxide component as predicted by the ideal adsorption solution theory (IAST). The regeneration of as-synthesized MOF was also studied in six consecutive cycles and no considerable reduction in CO₂ adsorption capacity was observed.     

The Influence of Cu3(BTC)2 metal organic framework on the permeability and perm‐selectivity of PLLA‐MOF mixed matrix membranes

Poly(l ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) ‐ 20% (w/w) and Cu₃(BTC)₂ metal organic framework (MOF) based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated by a vertical corotating twin screw microcompounder followed by an injection molding process. Water vapor, CO_2, O₂, and selected aroma mass transfer properties of PLLA and PLLA MMMs were evaluated. The CO₂/O₂ perm‐selectivity of PLLA (α_CO2/O2) MMMs increased from 7.6 to 10.3 with the incorporation of 20% Cu₃(BTC)₂ MOF. Gravimetric permeability studies of trans‐2‐hexenal performed at 23°C and 50% RH indicated that permeability coefficient of PLLA MMMs increased by around 60% as compared to regular PLLA film. However, no changes in mass transfer rates were observed for acetaldehyde. Furthermore, the thermal processing parameters as well as the presence of MOF did not show any significant effect on the molecular weight of the PLLA matrix nor on the crystalline structure of the Cu₃(BTC)₂ MOF, which was confirmed by both gel permeation chromatography and X‐ray diffraction studies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42764.     

Deterioration of metal–organic framework crystal structure during fabrication of poly(l‐lactic acid) mixed‐matrix membranes

Poly(l ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and metal–organic framework (MOF) mixed‐matrix membranes were prepared by melt extrusion of PLLA with 5% (w/w) of either activated or water‐saturated Cu₃(BTC)₂ (Cu₃(C₉H₃O₆)₂(H₂O)₃·xH₂O, HKUST‐1). The morphology and the stability of injection‐molded samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of activated and saturated MOF crystals increased the cold crystallization onset temperature as compared to neat PLLA. This can be attributed to the MOF crystals incorporated in the PLLA matrix, which decreased the mobility of PLLA and thus impeded the crystallization process. According to the XRD results, the activated MOF crystals were successfully incorporated into the PLLA matrix without altering the crystal structure of the MOF. Moreover, the findings from permeability and tensile tests as well as SEM imaging indicated good interfacial interactions between PLLA and activated MOF. However, during melt extrusion of PLLA with saturated MOF, water molecules from the saturated MOF altered the MOF crystal structure and contributed to the degradation of the PLLA polymer by reducing its molecular weight by around 21%. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> + SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ti compositions for the catalytic afterburning of diesel soot

Two methods were used to obtain a catalytically active oxide coating on the surface of titanium for the catalytic afterburning of diesel soot: plasma electrochemical formation of an oxide film on the surface of titanium and extraction pyrolytic deposition of the Li₂Cu₂(MoO₄)₃ compound. The Li₂Cu₂(MoO₄)₃/TiO₂ + SiO₂/Ti compositions synthesized by the single-step extraction pyrolytic treatment of the oxidized surface of titanium ensured a high burning rate of soot of ∼300°C. The subsequent deposition of Li₂Cu₂(MoO₄)₃ lowers the activity of the catalyst, due probably to the growth of molybdate phase crystallites and the filling of open oxide film pores. Double lithium-copper molybdate is able to reduce appreciably the concentration of CO in the oxidation products of soot. The advantages of these methods are the possibility of forming high-cohesion durable coatings on surfaces of any complexity, the simplicity of their implementation, and high productivity and low cost. The obtained results can be recommended for use in developing methods for creating composite coatings on catalytic soot filters.     

Crystal structure of new compound (Rb,K)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

A new compound of (Rb,K)₂Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂ is obtained by high-temperature reactions from a mixture of RbNO₃, KNO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, and (NH₄)₄P₂O₇. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R ₁ = 0.056 for 5022 independent reflections. The compound belongs to a rhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 8, a = 9.9410(7) Å, b = 13.4754(6) Å, c = 18.6353 (3) Å, and R = 0.056. The basis of the structure is a complex copper-phosphate skeleton of the composition of [Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂]^2–, which can be regarded as consisting of two types of heteropolyhedral layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are alternated with each other, forming a frame, in the cavities of which the positions of alkali cations are located, statistically populated with K⁺ and Rb⁺ ions. Based on the refined populations of the positions of alkali cations, an exact chemical formula of the compound can be written as Rb_1.28K_0.72Cu₃(P₂O₇)₂. The compound is the most complex among those known to this day of the composition of A₂ ^IB₃ ^II(P₂O₇)₂ (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; B = Ni, Cu, or Zn).     

Metal Organic Frameworks as Solid Acid Catalysts for Acetalization of Aldehydes with Methanol

Room temperature acetalization of aldehydes with methanol has been carried out using metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as solid heterogeneous catalysts. Of the MOFs tested, a copper‐containing MOF [Cu₃(BTC)₂] (BTC=1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate) showed better catalytic activity than an iron‐containing MOF [Fe(BTC)] and an aluminium containing MOF [Al₂(BDC)₃] (BDC=1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate). The protocol was validated for a series of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and used to protect various aldehydes into commercially important acetals in good yields without the need of water removal. In addition, the reusability and heterogeneity of this catalytic system was demonstrated. The structural stability of MOF was further studied by characterization with powder X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements and Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopic analysis of a deactivated catalyst used to convert a large amount of benzaldehyde. The performance of copper MOF as acetalization catalyst compares favourably with those of other conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts such as zinc chloride, zeolite and clay.     

Quasi-crystalline Al<Subscript>70</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>20</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>10</Subscript> by thermal explosion: Effect of AlCu doping on magnetic properties

Polycrystalline quasi-crystals of icosahedral Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀(i-Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀) were prepared by thermal explosion (TE) of mechanically activated mixture of Al, Cu, Fe powders doped with AlCu. The effect of AlCu dopant was studied by XRD, field emission scanning electron (FESEM), optical microscopy (OM), atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The synthesized i-Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀ and intermetallics (Al₃Fe, Al₂Cu) show soft ferromagnetic and paramagnetic properties, respectively.      

A Novel Coordination Polymer with Helical Chain: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Cu<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PMEP-Sal)<Subscript>4</Subscript>·H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

Summary A novel coordination polymer, [Cu₄(PMEP-sal)₄·H₂O] _n (PMEP-sal = 4-(2′-hydroxyl benxoylhydrazinyl) ethylidene-5-methyl-2-phenyl-pyrazole-3-one), is synthesized. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals the polymer contains tetranuclear building blocks in helical arrangement.     

A Novel 3D-Supramolecular Coordination Polymer Based on CuCN,Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>Sn Cation and Quinoxaline

Reaction of Ph₃SnCl and K₃[Cu(CN)₄] with quinoxaline (qox) at room temperature affords the novel 3D-supramolecular coordination polymer (SCP) _∞³[Cu₂(CN)₄·(Ph₃Sn)₂·qox], I, as the first example of the organotin-CuCN SCP containing the Ph₃Sn fragment. The structure of I displays two Cu(CN)₂ building blocks connected by a Ph₃Sn cation and qox ligand creating the rhombic [Cu₂(μ-CN)₂] motif. The structure of I contains three different fused rings, the minicycle [Cu₂(μ-CN)₂], the 18-atomic [Cu₄(Ph₃Sn)₂(CN)₄(qox)₂], and the 24-atomic [C₈N₈Cu₄(Ph₃Sn)₄] rings, which create a non-interpenetrating 3D-network. These rings form a box-like structure with cavities suitable to accommodate bulky phenyl groups. SCP I belongs to the rapidly growing family of supramolecular assemblies containing the quite unusual [Cu₂(μ-CN)₂] motif, the repeated appearance of which raises the question whether cuprophilic interactions therein are the basic cause of the existence of I.     

Synthesis of spinel Ni<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and the properties of a coating obtained by gas-flame spraying

Ferrite Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂O₄ was prepared by the solid-state synthesis and thermal decomposition of the complex oxalate Ni_0.75Zn_0.25Fe₂(C₂O₄)₃ · 6H₂O. The oxalate precursor and the products obtained at different stages of the thermal decomposition were identified by differential thermal analysis and X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The properties of a ferromagnetic coating deposited on a substrate by gasflame coating were studied. The magnetic properties of the Ni-Zn ferrite product and the ferromagnetic coating were also investigated.     

Modification of Cu/Zn/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Catalyst by Activated Carbon Based Metal Organic Frameworks as Precursor for Hydrogen Production

In this study, Cu/Zn/Al₂O₃-AC (AC?=?activated carbon) catalyst was synthesized and evaluated for dimethoxymethane (DMM) reformation to hydrogen. The Cu/Zn/Al₂O₃-AC catalyst was prepared using high surface area metal organic frameworks (MOFs) consisting of Cu₃(BTC)₂ (MOF-199) and Zn₄O(BDC)₃ (MOF-5) for Cu(II) and Zn(II) sources respectively, as precursors while γ-Al₂O₃ was applied as support. The synthesized catalyst was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET), Temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Complete DMM conversion was observed over Cu/Zn/Al₂O₃-AC catalyst (Cu:Zn:Al mole ratio of 6:3:2) under atmospheric pressure, T?=?533 K, GHSV?=?20 NL h^?1 g_cat^?1, N₂/H₂O/DMM?=?24/5/1 volume percent (vol%) with hydrogen productivity of 12.8 L H₂ h^?1 g_cat^?1 and 64% hydrogen concentration. Application of MOFs as precursors and modified activated carbon as an acidic component provided the catalyst with the porous structure and high specific surface area for the hydrolysis of DMM, subsequently, high selectivity and productivity of hydrogen was obtained.     

Icosahedral quasicrystalline Fe<Subscript>10</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>20</Subscript>Al<Subscript>70</Subscript> by electrothermal explosion: Structural and magnetic properties

A systematic study on the formation and stability of the icosahedral quasicrystalline (IQC) Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀ alloy has been carried out using electrothermal explosion (ETE) reaction as a preparation method. The influence of added elements on the formation of icosahedral phase has been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Combined ball milling and ETE reaction (BM-ETE) of Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ composition resulted in the formation of the ICQ Fe₁₀Cu₂₀Al₇₀ phase with a face-centered structure. In all cases, an Al(Cu, Fe) solid solution and β-Fe₃Al have been detected along with the ICQ phase. The icosahedral phase appears to form in a peritectoid-type reaction between Fe₃Al and Al₂Cu. A mechanism for formation of the IQC phase in the Al-Cu-Fe system was suggested. VSM measurements showed the ferromagnetic behavior of the alloy. The Mössbauer measurements in transmission and XRD data showed that the reaction product contained 65% Fe₁₀Cu₂₀Al₇₀ with an admixture of β-Fe₃Al and Al₂Cu.     

Simple One-Pot Preparation of In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nano-particles Using a Supramolecular 3D Framework Polymer

An indium(III) three-dimensional coordination framework, [In₂(OH)₃(O₄C₈H₄)_1.5] _n (1), was synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analyses, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and IR spectroscopy. Indium(III) oxide nanoparticles was prepared by direct thermal decomposition of 1 at 450 °C in air. The indium(III) oxide nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). This study demonstrates the coordination polymer frameworks may be suitable precursors for a simple one-pot preparation of nanoscale metal oxide materials with different and interesting morphologies.     

Crystallization Behavior and Corrosion Resistance of Cu<Subscript>50</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>40</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>10</Subscript> Amorphous Alloy

In this study, Cu₅₀Zr₄₀Ag₁₀ amorphous alloy ribbons were prepared by a single roller melt-spinning method. The crystallization behavior of the Cu₅₀Zr₄₀Ag₁₀ amorphous alloy has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). Moreover, the polarization and passivation behaviors of the as-quenched and as-annealed amorphous alloy have been studied in 1 N H₂SO₄. The surfaces of corroded samples have been examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the element distribution across the pits has been analyzed using energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the Cu₅₀Zr₄₀Ag₁₀ amorphous alloy has a large supercooled region up to 36 K. The ω-(ZrCu), ZrO₂ and Cu₁₀Zr₇ phases can firstly precipitate from the amorphous matrix below glass transition temperature during annealing for 30 min. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of the as-quenched amorphous alloy is better than that of partial and full crystallization products. In addition, Zr plays a crucial role in enriching the passive film and enhancing corrosion resistance.     

Effects of Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript> nanometer particles on biological toxicity during zebrafish embryogenesis

This study investigated the toxicity of Cu (1, 10, 15, and 25 mol%) loaded TiO₂ and pure TiO₂ nanometersized photocatalysts during the development of zebrafish embryogenesis. The hatch rate decreased in the Cu _x TiO _y nanoparticles exposed groups (10, 20 ppt) compared to pure TiO₂ nano-particles (10, 20 ppt) exposed or control groups. These Cu _x TiO _y and TiO₂ nanoparticles led to developing mutated embryos with abnormal notochord formation, no tail, damaged eyes and abnormal heart development. Exposure to Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles led to glutathione increase, catalase activity increase, GST increase and GSR increase than control. Penetration of the Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles to the embryo was also tested. It was observed that Cu _x TiO _y and pure TiO₂ nanoparticles penetrated into cells. Moreover Cu _x TiO _y penetrated into the skin, nerve and yolk sac epithelium cells on the zebrafish larvae as aggregated particles, which may induce the direct interaction between nanoparticles and cell to cause adverse biological responses. As a result, the Cu-loaded TiO₂ nanoparticles had the toxicity of zebrafish embryo and larvae in the water environment.     

Thermal stability of tin charge states in the structure of the (As<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>(SnSe)<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>(GeSe)<Subscript>0.3</Subscript> glass

Two valence states of tin atoms (namely, the doubly charged Sn²⁺ and quadruply charged Sn⁴⁺ states) in the structure of the (As₂Se₃)_0.4(SnSe)_0.3(GeSe)_0.3 glasses are identified by ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the concentration ratio of the doubly charged Sn²⁺ and quadruply charged Sn⁴⁺ states in the glass of this composition depends on the rate of quenching of the melt and on the initial temperature of the melt before quenching. The optical band gap and the activation energy for electrical conduction of the studied glass do not depend on the concentration ratio of the Sn²⁺ and Sn⁴⁺ ions. This behavior of the optical band gap and the activation energy is explained within the model according to which the structure of the glasses under investigation is built up of the structural units AsS_3/2, As_2/2Se_4/4, GeSe_4/2, SnSe_4/2, and SnSe_3/3, which correspond to the compounds AsSe₃, AsSe, GeSe₂, SnSe₂, and SnSe, respectively.     

Investigation of a new lead-free Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>(Na<Subscript>0.40</Subscript>K<Subscript>0.10</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-(Ba<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> piezoelectric ceramic

Lead-free piezoelectric compositions of the (1-x)Bi_0.5(Na_0.40K_0.10)TiO₃-x(Ba_0.7Sr_0.3)TiO₃ system (when x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were fabricated using a solid-state mixed oxide method and sintered between 1,050°C and 1,175°C for 2 h. The effect of (Ba_0.7Sr_0.3)TiO₃ [BST] content on phase, microstructure, and electrical properties was investigated. The optimum sintering temperature was 1,125°C at which all compositions had densities of at least 98% of their theoretical values. X-ray diffraction patterns that showed tetragonality were increased with the increasing BST. Scanning electron micrographs showed a slight reduction of grain size when BST was added. The addition of BST was also found to improve the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the BNKT ceramic. A large room-temperature dielectric constant, ε _r (1,609), and piezoelectric coefficient, d ₃₃ (214 pC/N), were obtained at an optimal composition of x = 0.10.     

Gas‐permeation performance of metal organic framework/polyimide mixed‐matrix membranes and additional explanation from the particle size angle

With MOFs of Cu₃(BTC)₂ and ZIF‐8 as the dispersed phases and four polyimides with CO₂ permeabilities ranging from 1.36 to 564 barrer as the continuous phase, the influence of metal organic frameworks on the gas‐separation properties of mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) was investigated. The results show that the gas permeabilities of all of the prepared MMMs greatly increased and even largely exceeded the predicted value of the Bruggeman model; for example, with the same Cu₃(BTC)₂ loading of 21.3 vol %, the O₂ permeability increase rate of our prepared Cu₃(BTC)₂/Matrimide 5218‐20 MMMs was 2.26 times, whereas that predicted by the Bruggeman model was only 1.05 times. In addition, when the gas permeability of the polymeric phase was far lower than the dispersed phase of ZIF‐8 or Cu₃(BTC)₂ compared with ZIF‐8, which had a particle size (R) around 150 nm, Cu₃(BTC)₂ of 5–15 µm showed a little better enhancing effect on the gas‐permeation performance of the MMMs. In addition to the properties of the dispersed and continuous phases, we speculated that the ratio between R of the dispersed phase to the membrane thickness (L) played an important role for MMMs; the larger R/L was, the greater the gas permeability of the MMMs was. This speculation was initially evidenced by the ZIF‐8/ODPA/TMPDA‐20 MMMs with different Ls. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45728.     

Relation between nanocrystallization and structural relaxation in the Fe<Subscript>73.5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>1</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>13.5</Subscript>B<Subscript>9</Subscript> alloy

Based on X-ray powder diffraction data available in the literature on nanocrystallization of the rapidly quenched amorphous alloy Fe_73.5Cu₁Nb₃Si_13.5B₉ (Finemet) and our data on the deformation of the alloy during crystallization, it has been established that the formation of a nanostructure is associated with the structural relaxation in the amorphous state and its own features after the rapid quenching.     

Combustion and structure formation in the Ti-Ta-C-Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

Biocompatible composites (Ti, Ta)C _x + Ca₃(PO₄)₂ for deposition of nanofilms onto load-bearing implants by ion-plasma sputtering were prepared from Ti + Ta + C + Ca₃(PO₄)₂ mixtures by forced SHS compaction. The effect of Ta + C addition to green mixtures (characterized by parameter z) on the structure/phase formation in combustion products was explored. The addition of tantalum and carbon was found to have little or no influence on the burning velocity U and combustion temperature T _c. Two thermal spikes exhibited by thermograms were associated with the occurrence of two consecutive reactions leading to formation of titanium and tantalum carbides. With increasing z, the grain size of (Ti, Ta)C was found to diminish, its relative density to decrease, while the hardness to markedly grow.