Controllable Strategy of Metal-Organic Framework Structural Stability: Regulation of Ligand Electronegativity by...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Structural stability is critical for the application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
• Controlling MOF structural stability is essential for tailoring their performance in various applications.
• Existing methods for MOF stabilization may lack tunability or broad applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel strategy for regulating the structural stability of MOFs.
• To investigate the effect of ligand electronic environment modification on MOF stability.
• To enhance the binding ability of MOFs with collagen fibers for improved material properties.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel zirconium-based MOF (Zr-TA) featuring hydroxyl groups.
• Esterification of hydroxyl groups to introduce ester groups with altered electronic properties.
• Controlled addition of modifiers to dynamically adjust MOF structure and stability.
• Assessment of the enhanced binding between the modified MOF and collagen fibers.

Main Results:

• The esterification of hydroxyl groups successfully modulated the coordination strength between the metal ion and ligand.
• The strategy allowed for controllable adjustment of MOF structural stability.
• The binding ability of the modified MOF with collagen fibers was significantly improved.
• Hydrothermal stability of crosslinked collagen fibers was enhanced by 82.6% using the modified MOF.

Conclusions:

• A new pathway for controlling MOF structural stability via ligand electronic environment modification has been established.
• This strategy offers dynamic control over MOF stability, applicable to diverse fields.
• The findings pave the way for developing advanced MOF-based materials with enhanced performance and tunable properties.