Publication
Article Metrics
Citations
Online attention
Correlated defect nanoregions in a metalorganic framework
DOI:
10.1038/ncomms5176
PMID:
24946837
Authors:
Matthew
Cliffe
(University of Oxford)
,
Wei
Wan
(Stockholm University)
,
Xiaodong
Zou
(Stockholm University)
,
Philip
Chater
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Annette
Kleppe
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Matthew G.
Tucker
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Heribert
Wilhelm
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Nicholas
Funnell
(University of Oxford)
,
François-xavier
Coudert
(Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, CNRSChimie ParisTech)
,
Andrew
Goodwin
(University of Oxford)
Co-authored by industrial partner:
No
Type:
Journal Paper
Journal:
Nature Communications
, VOL 5
State:
Published (Approved)
Published:
June 2014
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
5052

Abstract: Throughout much of condensed matter science, correlated disorder is a key to material function. While structural and compositional defects are known to exist within a variety of metalorganic frameworks (MOFs), the prevailing understanding is that these defects are only ever included in a random manner. Here we showusing a combination of diffuse scattering, electron microscopy, anomalous X-ray scattering and pair distribution function measurementsthat correlations between defects can in fact be introduced and controlled within a hafnium terephthalate MOF. The nanoscale defect structures that emerge are an analogue of correlated Schottky vacancies in rocksalt-structured transition metal monoxides and have implications for storage, transport, optical and mechanical responses. Our results suggest how the diffraction behaviour of some MOFs might be reinterpreted, and establish a strategy of exploiting correlated nanoscale disorder as a targetable and desirable motif in MOF design.
Subject Areas:
Chemistry
Instruments:
I15-Extreme Conditions