Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are potentially useful molecular materials that can exhibit structure flexibilities induced by some external stimuli. Such structure transformations can furnish MOFs with improved properties. The shape-controlled growth of MOFs combined with crystal-structure transformation is rarely achieved. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of hierarchical Zn/Ni-MOF-2 nanosheet-assembled hollow nanocubes (NAHNs) by a facile surfactant-free solvothermal approach. The unique nanostructures undergo crystal-structure transformation from Zn/Ni-MOF-5 nanocubes to Zn/Ni-MOF-2 nanosheets, which is analogous to the dissolution and recrystallization of inorganic nanocrystals. The present synthetic strategy to fabricate isostructural MOFs with hierarchical, hollow, and bimetallic nanostructures is expected to expand the diversity and range of potential applications of MOFs.

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are potentially useful molecular materials that can exhibit structure flexibilities induced by some external stimuli. Such structure transformations can furnish MOFs with improved properties. The shape‐controlled growth of MOFs combined with crystal‐structure transformation is rarely achieved. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of hierarchical Zn/Ni‐MOF‐2 nanosheet‐assembled hollow nanocubes (NAHNs) by a facile surfactant‐free solvothermal approach. The unique nanostructures undergo crystal‐structure transformation from Zn/Ni‐MOF‐5 nanocubes to Zn/Ni‐MOF‐2 nanosheets, which is analogous to the dissolution and recrystallization of inorganic nanocrystals. The present synthetic strategy to fabricate isostructural MOFs with hierarchical, hollow, and bimetallic nanostructures is expected to expand the diversity and range of potential applications of MOFs.

We demonstrate a competitive coordination strategy for the synthesis of H-MOF nanostructures, such as two-dimensional H-MOF nanosheets and H-MOF nanocubes, evolving through an etching process tuned by a competitive ligand.

Self-assemblyings of surfactant-encapsulated Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates (SEPs) nanobuilding blocks in butanone and esters yielded supramolecular gels showing thermo and photo responsive properties. The gels can be further polymerized if unsaturated esters were used and subsequently electrospinned into nanowires and non-woven mats. The as-prepared non-woven mats have a Young's modulus as high as 542.55 MPa. It is believed that this supramolecular gel is a good platform for polyoxometalates processing.

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Thermo-chemical conversion is a promising technology for the recycle of waste plastics, as it can produce high-value products such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hydrogen. However, the low yield of CNTs is one of the challenges. In this work, the addition of Mn (0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.%) to Fe-based catalyst to improve the production of CNTs has been investigated. Results show that the increase of Mn content from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% significantly promotes CNTs yield formed on the catalyst from 23.4 wt.% to 32.9 wt.%. The results show that Fe-particles in the fresh catalysts are between 10-25 nm. And the addition of Mn in the Febased catalyst enhanced the metal-support interactions and the dispersion of metal particles, thus leading to the improved catalytic performance in relation to filamentous carbon growth. In addition, the graphitization of CNTs is promoted with the increase of Mn content. Overall, in terms of the quantity and quality of the produced CNTs, 5 wt.% of Mn in Fe-based catalyst shows the best catalytic performance, due to the further increase of Mn content from 5 wt.% to 10 wt.% led to a dramatic decrease of purity by 10 wt.%.

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Ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) random copolymer was synthesized with 1,2-propanediol as initiator, then the end-capping process was carried out by adding various alkyl halides and potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce the double alkyl EO/PO random copolyethers. The factors effecting alkyl-capping rate were discussed. The results showed that when the molar ratio of hydroxyl group/KOH/1-bromobutane was 1/1.9/1.9, reacting time 6.5 hr and reacting temperature 50°C, the alkyl-capping rate could reach over 80%. The end-capping rate would also increase with the increasing content of ethylene oxide in the random polyether, and the end-capping rate of the EO/PO/EO block-polyether was high than that of the random polyether with same molecular weight. Instead of 1-bromobutane, ethyl bromide promised a higher whereas chloralkane gave a lower end-capping rate respectively.