Search

In this paper, an efficient method to fabricate Al-based metal organic framework (Al-MOF) MIL-96 crystals with controllable size and morphology, by mixing other forms of reactants to replace the coordination modulators or capping agents, is presented. The size and morphology of the MIL-96 crystals can be selectively varied by simply altering the ratio of dual reactants via their hydrolysis reaction. All the samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nitrogen sorption. Then based on the BFDH theory, a mechanism for the impact of hydrolysis of reactants on the crystal size and morphology is presented and discussed. We also evaluated the performance of these MOFs as sorbents for capturing CO2, and they all show enhanced adsorption properties compared with the bulk material, displaying high adsorption capacities on CO2 at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) possess unique electronic properties that make them very promising materials for use in both nano-electronics and thin film devices. However, SWNTs are always produced as a mixture of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes, which is a major roadblock to their widespread application. This tutorial reviewprovides a brief summary of ways of separating single-walled carbon nanotubes into metallic and semiconducting fractions. Various methods including selective growth, selective removal, selective adsorption and band structure modulation—all of which aim to produce pure SWNTs with well-defined electronic properties—are systematically discussed. The main problems in this field, the outlook for separation techniques and some views of future developments are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]