Synthesis and characterization of a 2-periodic cadmium-based metal-organic framework: A study on reversible water...

A previously-reported cadmium-based two-periodic metal-organic framework [Cd_1.5(BTC)(H₂O)_4.5] ·nH₂O (CP1) has been re-synthesized, where H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid. CP1 was characterized with single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) followed by various thermal analyses such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), hot stage microscopy (HSM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). CP1 is composed of 2-periodic layers, which are interdigitated. Heating can effectively remove the uncoordinated and coordinated water molecules resulting in an amorphous product CP1'. The original framework can be regenerated by readsorption of water from the atmosphere, indicating that the dehydration is reversible.