• Energy Research

A series of supertetrahedron (ST)-based sodalite (sod)-topology zeolitic MOFs specimens ST-sod-MOFs featuring ultramicroporous square windows and a mesoporous sodcage have been synthesized via a window-space-directed assembly approach.

In addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with porous organic cages (POCs), this review aims to bridge the gap between host–guest interactions and prospects of POCs in photo/electrocatalytic energy conversion and storage applications.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising crystalline porous materials with well-defined structures, high porosity, tunable topology, and functionalities suitable for various applications. However, studies of few-layered ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) COF nanosheets, which may lead to unprecedented properties and applications, are still limited. Herein, we report the targeted synthesis of three azine-linked and imine-linked 2D COFs named NUS 30–32 using monomers containing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) rotor-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moieties, affording micro- and meso-dual pores in NUS-30 and NUS-32 and triple pores in NUS-31. For the first time, we demonstrate that these isostructural bulk COF powders can be exfoliated into ultrathin 2D nanosheets (2–4 nm thickness) by a temperature-swing gas exfoliation approach. Compared with TPE monomers and COF model compounds, the AIE characteristic of NUS 30–32 nanosheets is distinctly suppressed because of the covalent restriction o...

Herein, we describe the hydrothermal synthesis of a novel cobalt-seamed C -ethylpyrogallol­[4]­arene-based metal–organic nanocapsule (Co 24 PgC 2 MONC) that can be easily converted into micelles in water using Tween-20, a natural polysorbitan. Such micellar forms exhibit increased efficiency up to 16-fold for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with a high rate of 7.2 mmol g –1 h –1 outperforming Co 24 PgC 2 MONC without Tween-20. Notably, Tween-20 is critical in this system because it can homogenize the heterogeneous Co 24 PgC 2 MONC catalyst, provide numerous accessible active sites and inhibit the energy transfer between photosensitizer and nanocapsules. This investigation not only provides a new approach to study a water-insoluble coordination complex but also offers an effective strategy to increase their hydrogen evolution catalytic activities.

The theoretical and experimental hydrogen storage studies on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reviewed. Seven distinct factors influencing hydrogen uptake capacity in MOFs have been classified and discussed. Based on existing studies, some possible future developments have been proposed.

Hydrogen storage in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), or porous coordination polymers, has been extensively investigated in the last two years and this review is to serve as an up to date account of the recent progress. The effects of MOF sample preparation and activation, functionalization (including post-synthetic), catenation, unsaturated metal sites, metal doping and spillover have been discussed using recent examples. In addition to a condensed reference table of all recently reported MOFs for hydrogen storage, future directions are discussed based on promising new materials and reported computational analyses.

A charge-separated and redox-active C60@porous organic cage (C60@POC) compound was synthesized to act as the cathode in a photo-assisted Li-organic battery, which enables efficient solar to electrochemical energy conversion and storage.