Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Chemical Modulation of MOF-74(Ni)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous material distinguished for high free empty volume and pore tunability. MOF-74(Ni) was previously shown to be effective in adsorbing carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen. Microwave-assisted synthesis of MOF-74(Ni) was shown to lower reaction time from days to hours. In this thesis, experimental conditions of batch microwave-assisted synthesis of MOF-74(Ni) were investigated. Crystallinity was investigated using powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Chemical modulation effect was also investigated, in which a ligand is added to precursor solution to compete with linkers for coordination with metal cations. The highest relative crystallinity was achieved when reaction was run for 2 hours at 90°C. Crystallinity was further increased when one-tenth equivalent of benzoic acid was added to precursor solutions and titrated with sodium hydroxide