Guest-induced reversible crystal-to-amorphous-to-crystal transformation in a Co(ii)-based metal–organic framework

Abstract

Guest-induced reversible crystal-to-amorphous-to-crystal transformation was obtained in a Co(II)-based metal–organic framework (MOF), DPPB-1, accompanied by a colour change. In this study, amorphous samples (DPPB-2) exhibited a notably high adsorption capacity for methanol (8.25 mmol g⁻¹) and ethanol (7.99 mmol g⁻¹). These samples also showed a high adsorption selectivity for methanol or ethanol over volatile organic compounds, which was further confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis. Such unique properties endowed DPPB-1 with a promising potential for applications in the field of methanol/ethanol separation and sensing materials.