Publisher: School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Date: June 8, 2024

In a groundbreaking development that promises significant advancements in materials science, Professor Lu Weigang and Professor Li Dan's team from the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at Jinan University have unveiled a cutting-edge metal organic framework (MOF) with a unique solid-state phase transition mechanism. Their recent study showcases a remarkable transition from a single crystal to single crystal (SCSC) structure within the MOF, enabling reversible structural changes between macroporous and narrow porous phases.

(Screenshot of the paper)

The team's research highlights the transformative capabilities of the MOF material, particularly in the realm of separation techniques. Through thermal dehydration-induced cluster consolidation in the macroporous phase, the narrow pore channels undergo contraction, facilitating the precise separation of single branched and double branched hexanes. This novel phase transition process, triggered by external stimuli, holds tremendous potential for applications in separation technologies through controlled channel expansion and contraction.

However, while the prospects are promising, designing and synthesizing MOFs with visible structural transformations pose a notable challenge in the field. The study, titled Dehydrogenation Induced Cluster Consolidation in a Metal Organic Framework for Sieving Hexane Isomers, has been published in the renowned journal Angelw - Chem. Int. Ed. The paper, DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403209, has garnered recognition as a Hot Paper selected by the editor, underscoring its significance in the scientific community.

The co first authors of the paper are doctoral students Jiang Zhijie and Wang Ying from the School of Chemistry and Materials Science. Their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in the success of this research endeavor, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of innovative materials for enhanced separation methodologies.

For further insights into this pioneering study on MOF materials and their transformative potential in separation science, access the original publication via the following link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202403209.