One Step Further: A Flexible Metal-Organic Framework that Functions as a Dual-Purpose Water Vapor Sorbent

Samuel M. Shabangu, Andrey A. Bezrukov, Alan C. Eaby, Sousa Javan Nikkhah, Shaza Darwish, Varvara I. Nikolayenko, Debobroto Sensharma, Shi Qiang Wang, Matthias Vandichel, Michael J. Zaworotko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report a water induced phase transformation in a flexible MOF, [Zn3(OH)2(btca)2] (Hbtca = 1H-benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid), that exhibits a two-step water vapor sorption isotherm associated with water-induced phase transformations. Variable temperature X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the dehydrated phase, LP-β, is almost isostructural with the previously reported solvated phase, LP-α. LP-β reversibly transformed to a partially hydrated phase, NP, at 5% RH, and a fully hydrated phase, LP-γ, at 47% RH. Structural studies reveal that host-guest and guest-guest interactions are involved in the NP, LP-α, and LP-γ phases. The LP-β phase, however, is atypical; molecular modeling studies indicating that it is indeed energetically favorable as a LP structure. To our knowledge, [Zn3(OH)2(btca)2] is only the second sorbent that exhibits water induced LP-NP-LP transformations (after MIL-53) and represents the first regeneration optimized sorbent (ROS) with two steps at RH ranges relevant for both atmospheric water harvesting and dehumidification.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)433-441
Number of pages9
JournalACS Materials Letters
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Feb 2025

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