Name: a technical guide for performing spectroscopic measurements on metal-organic frameworks
Uploaded: 2023-04-28T13:20:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Technical Guide for Performing Spectroscopic Measurements on Metal-Organic Frameworks at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Department of Energy under Grant DE-SC0012446.

1. Preparation of MOF suspensions using a polymer stabilizer
<ol>
	<li>Weigh out 50 mg of bis-amino-terminated polyethylene glycol (PNH2, Mn ~1,500) (see Table of Materials) and transfer to a one-dram vial (Table of Materials). Weigh out 1-5 mg of PCN-222(fb) (see synthetic protocol11) and place it into the same vial with PNH2. 
	NOTE: To attain the best possible MOF suspensions, the synthetic conditions req...

While the above results and protocol delineate general guidelines for minimizing scatter from MOFs in spectroscopic characterization, there is a wide variability in MOF particle size and structure that impacts spectroscopic results, and therefore blurs the methods of interpretation. To help clarify interpretation and ease the strain that comes with analyzing MOF spectroscopic data, finding a procedure to make the MOFs as small as possible is key. This is a limiting factor for most spectroscopy-related analyses of MOFs. B...

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are composed of metal oxide nodes linked by organic molecules, that form hierarchical porous structures when their constituent parts react together under solvothermal conditions1. Permanently porous MOFs were first reported in the early 2000s, and since then, the burgeoning field has expanded to encompass a wide range of applications, given the unique tunability of their structural components2,3,4,5,6,7. During the growth of the field of MOFs, there have been a handful of researchers that have incorporated photoactive materials into the nodes, ligands, and pores of MOFs to harness their potential in light-driven processes, like photocatalysis8,9,10,11, upconversion12,13,14,15,16, and photoelectrochemistry17,18. A handful of the light-driven processes of MOFs revolve around energy and electron transfer between donors and acceptors17,19,20,21,22,23,24,25. The two most common techniques used to study energy and electron transfer in molecular systems are emission and transient absorption spectroscopy26,27.
A great deal of research on MOFs has focused on emission characterization, given the relative ease in preparing samples, performing measurements, and (relatively) straightforward analysis19,22,23,24,28. Energy transfer typically manifests itself as a loss in the donor emission intensity and lifetime and an increase in the emission intensity of the acceptor loaded into the MOF backbone19,23,28. Evidence of charge transfer in a MOF manifests as a decrease in emission quantum yield and lifetime of the chromophore in the MOF29,30. While emission spectroscopy is a powerful tool in the analysis of MOFs, it only addresses part of the necessary information to present a complete mechanistic understanding of MOF photochemistry. Transient absorption spectroscopy can not only provide support for the existence of energy and charge transfer, but the method can also detect spectral signatures associated with the non-emissive singlet and triplet excited state behaviors, making it one of the most versatile tools for characterization31,32,33.
The primary reason why more robust characterization techniques like transient absorption spectroscopy are seldom applied toward MOFs is due to the difficulty in preparing samples with minimal scatter, especially with suspensions34. In the few studies successfully performing transient absorption on MOFs, the MOFs are &#60;500 nm in size, with some exceptions, stressing the importance of reducing particle size to minimize scatter15,21,25,35,36,37. Other studies make use of MOF thin films17 or SURMOFs38,39,40 to circumvent the scatter issue; however, from an applicability stand-point, their use is quite limited. Additionally, some research groups have taken to making polymer films of MOFs with Nafion or polystyrene34, the former raising some concerns for stability given the highly acidic sulfonate groups on Nafion. Gaining inspiration from the preparation of colloidal semiconductor suspensions41,42, we have found great success using polymers to help suspend and stabilize MOF particles for spectroscopic measurements11. In this work, we establish widely applicable guidelines to follow when it comes to preparing MOF suspensions and characterizing them with emission, nanosecond (ns), and ultrafast (uf) transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy techniques.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1 cm cuvette sample mount (SM1)</td>
			<td>Edinburgh Instruments</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 mL disposable syringes</td>
			<td>EXELINT</td>
			<td>26044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 mL disposable syringes</td>
			<td>EXELINT</td>
			<td>26252</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1-dram vials</td>
			<td>FisherSci</td>
			<td>CG490001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20 nm syringe filters</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>28138-005</td>
			<td>The filters are made by Whatman/Cytiva, and their catalog number is 6809-1002</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>200 nm syringe filters</td>
			<td>Cytiva, Whatman</td>
			<td>6784-1302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Absorption spectrophotometer</td>
			<td>Agilent&#160;</td>
			<td>Cary 5000 Spectrophotometer</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetronitrile (ACN)</td>
			<td>FisherSci</td>
			<td>AA36423</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ar gas tank</td>
			<td>Linde/PraxAir</td>
			<td>P-4563</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>bis amino-terminated polyethylene glycol (PNH2)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>452572</td>
			<td>MOF suspending agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clamping sample mount for nsTA (SM2)</td>
			<td>Ultrafast Systems</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Concave lens for telescope(CCL1)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>LD1613-A-ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Convex lens for telescope (CVL1)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>LA1708-A-ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Custom 1 cm optical cell with 24/40 outer joint</td>
			<td>QuarkGlass</td>
			<td>QSE-1Q10-2440 (Spectrosil Cat #1-Q-10</td>
			<td>We requested the 1 cm cell to have a joint</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Custom 2mm optical cell with 14/20 outer joint</td>
			<td>QuarkGlass</td>
			<td>QSE-1Q2-1420 (Spectrosil Cat # 1-Q-2)</td>
			<td>We requested the 2 mm cell to have a joint</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dimethylformamide (DMF)</td>
			<td>FisherSci</td>
			<td>D119</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dye laser (Nd:YAG pumped) for 415 nm output</td>
			<td>Sirah</td>
			<td>CobraStretch</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dye laser dye, Exalite 417</td>
			<td>Luxottica</td>
			<td>4170</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Femtosecond laser</td>
			<td>Coherent</td>
			<td>Astrella</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorimeter&#160;</td>
			<td>Photon Technology Inc. (Horiba)</td>
			<td>QuantaMaster QM-200-4E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorimeter arc lamp, 75 W</td>
			<td>Newport</td>
			<td>6251NS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorimeter PMT</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu</td>
			<td>1527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorimeter Software</td>
			<td>PTI/Horiba</td>
			<td>FelixGX</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorimeter TCSPC Module</td>
			<td>Becker &#38; Hickl GmbH</td>
			<td>PMH-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>lens mounts for telescope</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>LMR1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Long purging needles</td>
			<td>STERiJECT</td>
			<td>PRE-22100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnetic stirrer</td>
			<td>Ultrafast Systems</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mirror 1 (MM1) 350-700 nm</td>
			<td>Newport</td>
			<td>10Q20BB.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM1 mount</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>KM100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM1 post</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>TR2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM1 post holder</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PH1.5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM2 mount</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MFM05</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM2,3 mirrors</td>
			<td>thorlabs</td>
			<td>BB03-E02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM2,3 post</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MS3R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM2,3 post bases</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MBA1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM2,3 post holders</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MPH50</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MM3 mount</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MK05</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mounting posts for telescope optics</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>TR4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nanosecond TA Nd:YAG lasers</td>
			<td>Spectra-Physics</td>
			<td>QuantaRay INDI Nd:YAG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nanosecond TA spectrometer</td>
			<td>Edinburgh Instruments</td>
			<td>LP980</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nsTA ICCD camera</td>
			<td>Oxford Instruments</td>
			<td>Andor iStar ICCD camera</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nsTA PMT&#160;</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu</td>
			<td>R928</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Optical parametric amplifier</td>
			<td>Ultrafast Systems</td>
			<td>Apollo</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Parafilm</td>
			<td>FisherSci</td>
			<td>S37440</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pinhole wheel</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PHW16</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pinhole wheel post base</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>CF125C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pinhole wheel post holder</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PH1.5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pinhole wheel post/mount assembly</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>NDC-PM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>post bases for telescope optics</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>CF125C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>post holders for telescope optics</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PH4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Power detector for ns TA</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>S310C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism assembly (P2,3)</td>
			<td>Edinburgh Instruments</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism mount (P1)</td>
			<td>OWIS</td>
			<td>K50-FGS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism post (P1)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>TR4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism post base (P1)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>CF125C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism post holder (P1)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PH4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Quartz prisms (P1-P3)</td>
			<td>Newport</td>
			<td>10SR20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber outer joint septa (14/20)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89097-540</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber outer joint septa (24/40)</td>
			<td>ChemGlass</td>
			<td>CG-3022-24</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sonication tip</td>
			<td>Branson</td>
			<td>product discontinued</td>
			<td>Closest alternative is 1/8&#34; diam. tip from iUltrasonic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Square ND filters</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>NEK01S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stir bars</td>
			<td>StarnaCells/FisherSci</td>
			<td>NC9126395</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thorlabs power detector for ufTA</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>S401C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thorlabs power meter</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PM100D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tip sonicator</td>
			<td>Branson</td>
			<td>Digital Sonifer 450, product discontinued</td>
			<td>Closest alternative is SFX550 from iUltrasonic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tygon tubing</td>
			<td>Grainger</td>
			<td>8Y589</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ufTA ND filter wheel</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>NDC-25C-2-A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ufTA ND filter wheel mount</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>NDC-PM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ufTA ND filter wheel post</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PH2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ufTA ND filter wheel post base</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>CF125C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ufTA pump alignment mirror</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PF10-03-F01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrafast TA telescope assembly</td>
			<td>Ultrafast Systems</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>Contact company</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrafast transient absorption spectrometer</td>
			<td>Ultrafast Systems</td>
			<td>HeliosFire</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xe arc probe lamp</td>
			<td>OSRAM</td>
			<td>4050300508788</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a technical guide for performing spectroscopic measurements on metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a unique platform to understand light-driven processes in solid-state materials, given their high structural tunability. However, the progression of MOF-based photochemistry has been hindered by the difficulty in spectrally characterizing these materials. Given that MOFs are typically larger than 100 nm in size, they are prone to excessive light scatter, thereby rendering data from valuable analytical tools like transient absorption and emission spectroscopy nearly uninterpretable. To gain meaningful insights of MOF-based photo-chemical and physical processes, special consideration must be taken toward properly preparing MOFs for spectroscopic measurements, as well as the experimental setups that garner higher quality data. With these considerations in mind, the present guide provides a general approach and set of guidelines for the spectroscopic investigation of MOFs. The guide addresses the following key topics: (1) sample preparation methods, (2) spectroscopic techniques/measurements with MOFs, (3) experimental setups, (3) control experiments, and (4) post-run stability characterization. With appropriate sample preparation and experimental approaches, pioneering advancements toward the fundamental understanding of light-MOF interactions are significantly more attainable.

The electronic absorption spectra of PCN-222(fb) with and without PNH2 and filtering are shown in Figure 4. The MOF without PNH2 was just tip-sonicated and diluted. When comparing the two spectra, the biggest difference is the minimization of baseline scatter, which shows up as a broad upward absorption with decreasing wavelengths and also broadens the electronic transitions quite noticeably. For further comparison, the PCN-222(fb) ligand in solution, tetracarboxyphenyl...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Technical Guide for Performing Spectroscopic Measurements on Metal-Organic Frameworks at JoVE.com

A Technical Guide for Performing Spectroscopic Measurements on Metal-Organic Frameworks (Video) | JoVE

Here, we use a polymer stabilizer to prepare metal-organic framework (MOF) suspensions that exhibit markedly decreased scatter in their ground-state and transient absorption spectra. With these MOF suspensions, the protocol provides various guidelines to characterize the MOFs spectroscopically to yield interpretable data.

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