The modular nature of metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) leads to a very large number of possible structures. Highthroughput computational screening has led to a rapid increase in property data that has enabled several potential applications for MOFs, including gas storage, separations, catalysis, and other fields. Despite their rich chemistry, MOFs are typically named using an ad hoc approach, which can impede their searchability and the discovery of broad insights. In this article, we develop two systematic MOF identifiers, coined MOFid and MOFkey, and algorithms for deconstructing MOFs into their building blocks and underlying topological network. We review existing cheminformatics formats for small molecules and address the challenges of adapting them to periodic crystal structures. Our algorithms are distributed as open-source software, and we apply them here to extract insights from several MOF databases. Through the process of designing MOFid and MOFkey, we provide a perspective on opportunities for the community to facilitate data reuse, improve searchability, and rapidly apply cheminformatics analyses.
The isostructural, two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (HNMe)M(Cldhbq) (M = Ti, V; Cldhbq = deprotonated 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxybenzoquinone) and (HNMe)Cr(dhbq) (dhbq = deprotonated 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone) are synthesized and investigated by spectroscopic, magnetic, and electrochemical methods. The three frameworks exhibit substantial differences in their electronic structures, and the bulk electronic conductivities of these phases correlate with the extent of delocalization observed via UV-vis-NIR and IR spectroscopies. Notably, substantial metal-ligand covalency in the vanadium phase results in the quenching of ligand-based spins, the observation of simultaneous metal- and ligand-based redox processes, and a high electronic conductivity of 0.45 S/cm. A molecular orbital analysis of these materials and a previously reported iron congener suggests that the differences in conductivity can be explained by correlating the metal-ligand energy alignment with the energy of intervalence charge-transfer transitions, which should determine the barrier to charge hopping in the mixed-valence frameworks.
Lithium‐ion batteries have remained a state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical energy storage technology for decades now, but their energy densities are limited by electrode materials and conventional liquid electrolytes can pose significant safety concerns. Lithium metal batteries featuring Li metal anodes, solid polymer electrolytes, and high‐voltage cathodes represent promising candidates for next‐generation devices exhibiting improved power and safety, but such solid polymer electrolytes generally do not exhibit the required excellent electrochemical properties and thermal stability in tandem. Here, an interpenetrating network polymer with weakly coordinating anion nodes that functions as a high‐performing single‐ion conducting electrolyte in the presence of minimal plasticizer, with a wide electrochemical stability window, a high room‐temperature conductivity of 1.5 × 10−4 S cm−1, and exceptional selectivity for Li‐ion conduction (tLi+ = 0.95) is reported. Importantly, this material is also flame retardant and highly stable in contact with lithium metal. Significantly, a lithium metal battery prototype containing this quasi‐solid electrolyte is shown to outperform a conventional battery featuring a polymer electrolyte.
Two
iron–semiquinoid framework materials, (H2NMe2)2Fe2(Cl2 dhbq)3 (1) and (H2NMe2)4Fe3(Cl2 dhbq)3(SO4)2 (Cl2 dhbq
n– = deprotonated
2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxybenzoquinone) (2-SO
4
), are shown to possess electrochemical
capacities of up to 195 mAh/g. Employing a variety of spectroscopic
methods, we demonstrate that these exceptional capacities arise from
a combination of metal- and ligand-centered redox processes, a result
supported by electronic structure calculations. Importantly, similar
capacities are not observed in isostructural frameworks containing
redox-inactive metal ions, highlighting the importance of energy alignment
between metal and ligand orbitals to achieve high capacities at high
potentials in these materials. Prototype lithium-ion devices constructed
using 1 as a cathode demonstrate reasonable capacity
retention over 50 cycles, with a peak specific energy of 533 Wh/kg,
representing the highest value yet reported for a metal–organic
framework. In contrast, the capacities of devices using 2-SO
4
as a cathode rapidly diminish over several
cycles due to the low electronic conductivity of the material, illustrating
the nonviability of insulating frameworks as cathode materials. Finally, 1 is further demonstrated to access similar capacities as
a sodium-ion or potassium-ion cathode. Together, these results demonstrate
the feasibility and versatility of metal–organic frameworks
as energy storage materials for a wide range of battery chemistries.
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