Ultrahigh-Pressure Preparation and Catalytic Activity of MOF-Derived Cu Nanoparticles

A metal-organic framework (MOF) consisting of Cu-benzenetricarboxylic acid was processed under ultrahigh pressure (5 GPa) and at temperature of up to 500 degrees C. The products were characterized with TEM, FTIR, and XAFS. The decomposition of the MOF started at 200 degrees C at 5 GPa. This temperature was much lower than that in the vacuum. Single-nanometer Cu nanoparticles were obtained in carbon matrix, which was significantly smaller than the Cu particles prepared at ambient pressure. The catalytic activity for Huisgen cycloaddition was examined, and the sample processed at 5 GPa showed a much improved performance compared with that of the MOF-derived Cu nanoparticles prepared without high pressure.

Automated summary

A study on processing Cu-benzenetricarboxylic acid metal-organic framework under ultrahigh pressure and high temperature revealed that the decomposition temperature of the MOF significantly decreased at 5 GPa, resulting in smaller Cu nanoparticles obtained in a carbon matrix. Catalytic activity tests for Huisgen cycloaddition showed that the sample processed at 5 GPa exhibited better performance compared to those prepared without high pressure.