Electrodeposition, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), electrochemical base generation, gas separation membrane, thin films
Materials for gas storage, gas separation, drug transport, molecular separations, catalysis, or sensors
Need to grow MOFs on surfaces to make continuous crack-free membranes
The invention describes a novel approach to the growth and synthesis of MOFs that result in direct deposition of MOF crystals and crystalline films on a conductive surface. The approach involves electrochemical generation of base equivalents (such as hydroxide) by the reduction of water, oxoanions, or other reductive processes that increase the local pH near a conductive surface (electrode). The base equivalents (such as hydroxide anions) generated at the cathode deprotonate precursor ligands in the electrolyte solution, which then react with metal cations to form crystallite particles on the conductive surface.
US Patent Application Number 13/439355, filed on April 4, 2012
PCT Patent Application Number PCT/US2012/032158, filed on April 4, 2012
Li, M.; Dincă, M. "Reductive Electrosynthesis of Crystalline Metal-Organic Frameworks" Journal of the American Chemical Society 2011, 133, 12926-12929.
Last revised: April 29, 2013