Functionalization-Induced Breathing Control in Metal–Organic Frameworks for Methane Storage with High Deliverable Capacity

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that can undergo structural flexibility upon gas sorption cycle bear enormous potential particularly as adsorbents for methane storage. A molecular level control over such flexibility can be advantageous for the development of smart adsorbents with increased deliverable capacity. Herein, we report the flexible and stable MIL-53­(Al) type MOFs, whose breathing behavior can be controlled by systematic installation of hydrogen bonding sites into the frameworks. Such a control has been fine-tuned to induce high deliverable capacity in MOFs by changing gas pressure, temperature, and density. The establishment of a structure–property relationship for methane storage and successful pelletization of MOFs pave the way for MOF-based onboard natural gas storage