Monitoring thermally induced structural deformation and framework decomposition of ZIF-8 through &ITin situ&IT temperature dependent measurements

ZIF-8 is an easily synthesized porous material which is widely applied in gas storage/separation, catalysis, and nanoarchitecture fabrication. Thermally induced atomic displacements and the resultant frame work deformation/collapse significantly influence the application of ZIF-8, and therefore, in situ temperature dependent FTIR spectroscopy was utilized to study the framework changes during heating in theoxidative environment. The results suggest that ZIF-8 undergoes three transition stages, which are thelattice expansion stage below 200 degrees C, the reversible structural deformation stage from 200 to 350 degrees C,and the decomposition/collapse stage over 350 degrees C. Our research indicates that the Zn-N bond breaksat a temperature of 350 degrees C in the oxidant environment, leading to a drastic deformation of the ZIF-8 structure.