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Turning Redundant Ligands into Treasure: A New Strategy for Constructing MIL‐53(Al)@Nanoscale TiO 2 Layers
Author(s) -
Gu Yifan,
Wu Yinan,
Shen Jingyi,
Li Zehua,
Chen Shuyi,
Lu Huigong,
Li Fengting
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201503052
Subject(s) - materials science , anatase , nanoscopic scale , nanotechnology , nanocomposite , hydrothermal circulation , thermal stability , metal organic framework , fabrication , chemical engineering , porosity , annealing (glass) , thin film , composite material , adsorption , photocatalysis , catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
A strategy for in situ fabrication of nanoscale‐thin layers of anatase TiO 2 coated on the metal–organic framework (MOF) material, MIL‐53(Al), is developed. The preparation conditions for crystallized TiO 2 are normally incompatible with the thermal and chemical stability of MOFs. Based on our strategy, we found that the redundant organic ligands (1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H 2 BDC) within the pores of the as‐synthesized MOF play a key function in the protection and support of the framework during hydrothermal loading of the TiO 2 precursor, as well as in preventing the infiltration of the precursor into the pores. After annealing, a nanoscale‐thin layer of highly crystalline anatase TiO 2 , with a thickness of 6–10 nm, was successfully attached to the external surface of the MIL‐53(Al) crystals, while the porous framework remains intact. The core–shell structure of the MOF@TiO 2 nanocomposite endows the resulting materials with additional optical response and enhanced moisture and chemical stability.