Polyoxometalate Cluster-Incorporated Metal-Organic Framework Hierarchical Nanotubes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/smll.201503695

A one-pot solvothermal strategy was designed to synthesize two kinds of bi-metallic hierarchical Fe/Co-BTC nanotubes modulated by Keggin-type POMs. Iron(iii) acetylacetonate and cobalt(iii) acetylacetonate were dissolved in a dimethylformamide (DMF)/decanol mixture. Then NaPW₁₂, 3.0 mL of water and 0.35 mL of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid solution were added successively into the DMF/decanol solution. After stirring for several minutes, the starting solution was transferred into a 40-mL Teflon-lined stainless-steel autoclave. The sealed vessel was then heated at 100°C for 3 h before it was cooled down to room temperature. The electrochemical performance of the as-prepared products were measured using a two electrode cell. It was found that Tube1 exhibited higher catalytic properties than either MOF1 or P1 . In other words, the properties of the composite were better than those of the individual components, thus confirming the synergistic effect of the composite. Interestingly, the activity of Tube2 was almost the same as that of T1 , which may be attributed to its high specific surface area.