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Schemes for Engineers in Research and Development
Global Research Awards: Profiles
Dr Jennifer Williams – The University of Edinburgh
The Orientated Fabrication of Metal Organic Framework Thin Films
Details of Secondment
Dr Williams is a postdoctoral researcher at the
University of Edinburgh where she researches
adsorption and transport properties of thin films
using advanced molecular simulation methods. The
focus of Dr Williams’ work as a recipient of a
Global Research Award at the Maximilian Ludwig
University was the study of thin films using a
chemical synthesis approach. Dr Williams
explored the use of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)
as a means of controlling the orientation of surface
growth, and thus porosity of metal-organic
frameworks (MOFs). Dr Williams was hosted by the
research group of Professor Thomas Bein a leading
expert in the field of morphology control in the
areas of nanoparticle and thin film fabrication. The
project lasted five months and took place between
January and May 2009.
Background
Metal organic
frameworks represent an important class of microporous materials. Their porous nature,
structural features, and stability makes them
suitable for many potential applications such as gas
sorption, molecular separation, gas storage and
catalysis.
One setback in the use of these films in
practical applications has been an inability to
control the growth of the porous framework.
Recently, the group of Professor Bein of the LMU
University, Munich has demonstrated the ability to
control the orientation of MOF crystals and thus the
pore system by using functionalized self-assembled
monolayers1,2 – the concept is illustrated in the
figure below.
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Figure 1. Illustration of the oriented
growth of a metal organic framework on a
self-assembled monolayer. |
Dr Williams worked on
developing this synthesis methodology to grow new MOFs on self assembled monolayers and in particular
extending this methodology to functionalized MOFs
(where the organic linker molecule carried an amino
group). MOFs with such implemented functionalites
were identified as particularly desirable candidates
for synthesis as modification of the pore walls
offers the possibility of improving the properties
of existing MOF structures. This could, for example,
result in more selective materials with a higher
storage capacity in fields such as gas separation or
storage.
“As I usually research in the field of
molecular simulations, my time on secondment
concentrating on chemical synthesis has helped me to
gain an in-depth knowledge of the fabrication and
materials characterisation of thin films and
complements my expertise in the area of simulation
of thin films. Indeed, such interdisciplinary
networking between molecular modelling and
experimental techniques is crucial to making
progress in the characterization and application of nanostructured materials such as MOFs and I believe
that my time on secondment has given me a clear
advantage in this area.”
Outcomes
The success of
this project is evidenced by the fact that two
different functionalized metal organic frameworks
with a preferred orientation were synthesized for
the first time during the secondment.
One of these MOFs (amino functionalized MIL-88B) is of particular
interest because it has a very flexible framework
which allows it to adsorb of a wide range of organic
molecules or gases by adapting its framework
structure accordingly.
Dr Williams also succeeded in
growing amino functionalized MIL-101. This is an
important development due to the huge surface area
of this MOF and thus, its potential in applications.
The work carried out during Dr. Williams’ stay in
Munich was presented at the following national and
international conferences and events:
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Celebration of Research,
Glasgow Caledonian University, 12th June 2009.
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MOFCAT 2009 Workshop - MOFs
on the Road to Catalysis, Oslo, Norway, 17-19th
June 2009.
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XXXIInd Annual British Zeolite Association
Conference, University of Cumbria, Ambleside, U.K.
23rd – 28th August 2009.
The Global Research Award
has allowed for the identification of key areas for
future collaboration between University of Edinburgh
and the Maximilian Ludwig University (LMU). These
collaborations couple state-of-the art experimental
techniques for synthesis and materials
characterization carried out at the LMU with
advanced theoretical and molecular simulation
methods currently carried out at University of
Edinburgh. Such collaborations are especially
advantageous given that computer simulations and
experimental synthesis/characterisation are now
recognised as powerful and complementary techniques.
“I am especially grateful for the Royal Academy of
Engineering’s help with covering expenses which
other grants and awards do not normally cover. The
allowance for German lessons meant that I could
communicate confidently in German which helped
integrate me both in and outside of the workplace.”
“On a personal level, I have gained experience of
working as an independent researcher at a foreign
University within an extensive and internationally
renowned research team. I am grateful to the Royal
Academy of Engineering, the group of AK Bein at the
Maximilian Ludwig University and University of
Edinburgh for giving me opportunity to work in this
newly-emerging and original area at the forefront of
chemical research.”
Dr Jennifer Williams PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Engineering
The University of Edinburgh
References
Scherb, C.,
Schoedel, A. & Bein, T. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 47
(2008) 5777-5779.
Biemmi, E., Scherb, C. & Bein, T.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129 (2007) 8054-8055
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