Controlling Energy Transfer In Metal-Organic Frameworks By Coordinative Immobilization Of Photochromic Ligands

Anya Bali

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Chemistry

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Natalia Shustova, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina

Oral Presentation Award

2nd Place

Abstract

In recent years, the international demand for energy has increased rapidly. As a result, the exploration of novel renewable energy materials has widened greatly. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), or highly porous, crystalline hybrid structures made of organic ligands and metal nodes, have been researched for their energy applications. This research aimed to mimic photosynthesis through the implementation of photochromic ligands, or photoswitches, within efficient metal-organic frameworks to create a controllable energy transfer system. These photochromic organic molecules transfer energy by changing their structure when irradiated with ultraviolet or visible light. Previous research immobilized the bis(5-pyridyl-2-methyl-3-thienyl)cyclopentene (BPMTC) photoswitch within porphyrin-based (PPF-1) MOFs. This research replaced the PPF-1 layers with tetraphenylethylene-carboxylate (TPE-COOH), a ligand with an efficiency approximately ten times that of porphyrin. The photoswitch was produced and immobilized within these MOFs through ligand syntheses, standard purification processes, and heat-assisted MOF synthesis. Powder X-ray diffraction revealed photochromic properties within the resulting crystalline frameworks. Future trials will vary synthesis conditions and utilize solvent-assisted ligand exchange to produce larger crystals for use in renewable energy materials.

Start Date

4-11-2015 11:00 AM

End Date

4-11-2015 11:15 AM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 11:00 AM Apr 11th, 11:15 AM

Controlling Energy Transfer In Metal-Organic Frameworks By Coordinative Immobilization Of Photochromic Ligands

In recent years, the international demand for energy has increased rapidly. As a result, the exploration of novel renewable energy materials has widened greatly. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), or highly porous, crystalline hybrid structures made of organic ligands and metal nodes, have been researched for their energy applications. This research aimed to mimic photosynthesis through the implementation of photochromic ligands, or photoswitches, within efficient metal-organic frameworks to create a controllable energy transfer system. These photochromic organic molecules transfer energy by changing their structure when irradiated with ultraviolet or visible light. Previous research immobilized the bis(5-pyridyl-2-methyl-3-thienyl)cyclopentene (BPMTC) photoswitch within porphyrin-based (PPF-1) MOFs. This research replaced the PPF-1 layers with tetraphenylethylene-carboxylate (TPE-COOH), a ligand with an efficiency approximately ten times that of porphyrin. The photoswitch was produced and immobilized within these MOFs through ligand syntheses, standard purification processes, and heat-assisted MOF synthesis. Powder X-ray diffraction revealed photochromic properties within the resulting crystalline frameworks. Future trials will vary synthesis conditions and utilize solvent-assisted ligand exchange to produce larger crystals for use in renewable energy materials.