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Electric Field Assisted Dynamic MOF alignment and Crystal Assembly

Project description

New methods for controlling growth and orientation of metal–organic framework particles

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile compounds made up of metal ions connected to organic ligands, forming one-, two- or three-dimensional structures. Despite their promising potential in many applications, researchers are still not able to manipulate colloidal MOF particles and control their orientation. Combining materials science, chemistry and physics, the EU-funded DYNAMOF project plans to enhance the ability to manipulate MOF particles by establishing the principles and working methods for controlling colloidal particles across a wide spectrum of materials. Exploiting MOF anisotropic ion mobility and polarisability, DYNAMOF will establish a flexible toolbox for both dynamic and static control over the orientation, alignment and deposition of MOF crystals, paving the way for major advancements in the performance of MOF materials, composites and devices.

Objective

Despite the staggering number of reports on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), we are still greatly limited in our ability to manipulate colloidal MOF particles and control MOF orientation. Reliable control of MOF crystal orientation is extremely important as the properties and functionality of most MOFs are highly dependent upon crystallographic direction due to lattice anisotropy. However, the effective exploitation of such functionality remains frustratingly out of reach.
Based on the novel concept of exploiting MOF anisotropic ion mobility and polarizability, DYNAMOF aims to establish a flexible toolbox of methods for both dynamic and static control over the orientation, alignment and deposition of MOF crystals, which can be integrated into other processing techniques, thus paving the way for major advancements in the performance of MOF materials, composites and devices.
The mechanisms of E-field alignment of MOF particles as well as colloidal interactions governing MOF plastic or liquid crystal assembly, non-classical crystal growth and oriented film formation will be studied to develop a comprehensive and revolutionary platform for orientational control of free-standing and supported MOF crystals. As a proof-of-concept, the implications of MOF alignment on the proton conduction of MOF composites will be tested to pave the way towards next-generation MOF proton exchange membranes.
This ambitious project, which straddles the disciplines of materials science, chemistry and physics, is expected to break new ground by removing a key barrier in our ability to manipulate MOF particles. The wider goal of DYNAMOF is to establish the principles and working methods for colloidal manipulation across a wide materials spectrum, by using MOFs as a versatile platform for expanding our understanding of colloidal materials. Given the ubiquity and importance of colloids in materials science and daily life, the success of DYNAMOF will therefore have far reaching impact.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITAT WIEN
Net EU contribution
€ 1 964 345,00
Address
UNIVERSITATSRING 1
1010 Wien
Austria
Region
Ostösterreich Wien Wien
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 1 964 345,00

Beneficiaries (1)