Abstract:
Multifunctional Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been the theme of cutting
edge research in the modern era. Because of diversified structures, structural
tunability and targeted host-guest interactions in these porous architectures, MOFs
have shown promising potential in terms of applicability in almost all spheres of
material science. From the designing aspect, one of the key strategies is choice of
ligands used in MOF syntheses. Neutral nitrogen donor ligands lead to formation of
cationic frameworks resulting in the occupancy by extra framework anions for
balancing overall charge of the frameworks. Such framework cations can often be
exchanged with exogenous anions resulting in not only structural changes, but also
visual colorimetric changes depending on the judicious choice of the metal centre
such as Cu (II) ions. On the other hand Dicarboxylate based ligands are the most
widely used ligands used in fabrication of such porous frameworks. Anionic
carboxylate linkers not only give rise to robust and rigid MOFs but also in some
cases flexible frameworks may result giving rise to multi-variant functionalities. From
the application perspective if a MOF material can be down sized in Nano metric
scale, then they can be efficiently used as mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) in
conjunction with organic polymers for addressing one of the key global problems i.e.
separation of CO2 from other gases. Bearing this in mind, my thesis work pivots
around design, syntheses and characterization of two metal-organic hybrid materials
for a) naked eye colorimetric anion sensing b) development of MOF based MMMs for
CO2 separation.
