Multi-metallic Multivariate Metal−Organic Frameworks Based on meta-Carborane: Synthesis and Characterization

PhD Candidate: Xiao-bao Li

Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 10.30 AM
Venue: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB, CSIC) - Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles

Abstract

In this thesis, we have focused on the synthesis of a series of novel multi-metallic and multivariant metalloorganic frameworks (MTV-MOFs) based on meta-carborane. In the rare earth (RE) MTV-MOFs system, we successfully incorporated up to eight different RE metals into a single structure, an exceptionally rare achievement given the wide variation of ionic radii among these metals. In the transition metal (TM) MTV-MOFs system, we have prepared the first family of carborane-based MTV-MOFs, including Co and/or Ni. Inspired by the DNA sequences of living beings, we propose for the first time a “two-pot method” for metal incorporation. Using both the traditional “one-pot” method and our recently developed “two-pot” method, we introduced TMs into MTV-MOFs to produce structures with identical compositions and structures, but with different metal sequences. In addition, we synthesized new families of Co and/or Ni m-carborane-based MOFs, incorporating various N, N’ ligands of different sizes. In addition to their excellent stability and structural diversity, all these TM-based MOFs have been systematically investigated to explore the correlation between structure and electronic properties. Preliminary photocatalytic hydrogenation experiments have also revealed a relationship between the band gaps and the catalytic performance of some of the new materials.

Supervisors

• José Giner Planas, ICMAB-CSIC, Spain

PhD Committee

• President: Nuria Aliaga-Alcalde, ICMAB, Spain
• Secretary: Josep Puigmarti-Luis, UB, Spain
• Vocal: Min Ying Tsang, Łukasiewicz Research Network - PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, Poland

University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

PhD Programme: Materials Science