Ammonia
is a hazardous gas and the only carbon-free chemical energy
carrier that can be largely adsorbed on metal–organic frameworks
(MOFs). However, because of the destructive effect of H2O/NH3 on the metal nodes, most MOFs cannot be applied
in ammonia capture and uptake. Herein, three Co-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic
series metal–organic squares (MOSs)Co4(IDC)4(pda)4, Co4(IDC)4(phen)4, and Co4(IDC)4(bpy)4were
synthesized with a special independent square configuration and zeolite-like
supramolecular structures, and their structure and H2O/NH3 uptake capacity were investigated. Based on the four antennas-protected
squares and porous structures, the three MOSs have excellent H2O/NH3 stability, whose structures were not affected
by the ad-desorption of H2O, NH3, or H2O/NH3. The three MOFs have a H2O uptake of
17.63, 8.35, and 7.75 mmol/g, respectively, as well as the facile
release and repeatable of high ammonia uptakes of 11.5, 5.2, and 3.8
mmol/g, respectively. In addition, the MOFs have good stability and
ammonia adsorption (4.73, 2.33, and 1.21 mmol/g, respectively) under
humid conditions. Therefore, the three MOSs may be sustainably applied
to ammonia uptake applications, because of their high ammonia uptake,
ease of release, and the unique structural protection effect of the
antenna ligands.