Rich Polymorphism of a Metal–Organic Framework in Pressure–Temperature Space

International audienceWe present an in situ powder X-ray diffraction study on the phase stability and polymorphism of the metal–organic framework ZIF-4, Zn(imidazolate)2, at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature, up to 8 GPa and 600 °C. The resulting pressure–temperature phase diagram reveals four, previously unknown, high-pressure–high-temperature ZIF phases. The crystal structures of two new phases—ZIF-4-cp-II and ZIF-hPT-II—were solved by powder diffraction methods. The total energy of ZIF-4-cp-II was evaluated using density functional theory calculations and was found to lie in between that of ZIF-4 and the most thermodynamically stable polymorph, ZIF-zni. ZIF-hPT-II was found to possess a doubly interpenetrated diamondoid topology and is isostructural with previously reported Cd(Imidazolate)2 and Hg(Imidazolate)2 phases. This phase exhibited extreme resistance to both temperature and pressure. The other two new phases could be assigned with a unit cell and space group, although their structures remain unknown. The pressure–temperature phase diagram of ZIF-4 is strikingly complicated when compared with that of the previously investigated, closely related ZIF-62 and demonstrates the ability to traverse complex energy landscapes of metal–organic systems using the combined application of pressure and temperature

Rich Polymorphism of a Metal-Organic Framework in Pressure-Temperature Space.

We present an in situ powder X-ray diffraction study on the phase stability and polymorphism of the metal-organic framework ZIF-4, Zn(imidazolate)2, at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature, up to 8 GPa and 600 °C. The resulting pressure-temperature phase diagram reveals four, previously unknown, high-pressure-high-temperature ZIF phases. The crystal structures of two new phases-ZIF-4-cp-II and ZIF-hPT-II-were solved by powder diffraction methods. The total energy of ZIF-4-cp-II was evaluated using density functional theory calculations and was found to lie in between that of ZIF-4 and the most thermodynamically stable polymorph, ZIF- zni. ZIF-hPT-II was found to possess a doubly interpenetrated diamondoid topology and is isostructural with previously reported Cd(Imidazolate)2 and Hg(Imidazolate)2 phases. This phase exhibited extreme resistance to both temperature and pressure. The other two new phases could be assigned with a unit cell and space group, although their structures remain unknown. The pressure-temperature phase diagram of ZIF-4 is strikingly complicated when compared with that of the previously investigated, closely related ZIF-62 and demonstrates the ability to traverse complex energy landscapes of metal-organic systems using the combined application of pressure and temperature

Pressure promoted low-temperature melting of metal–organic frameworks

International audienceMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are microporous materials with huge potential for chemical processes. Structural collapse at high pressure, and transitions to liquid states at high temperature, have recently been observed in the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) family of MOFs. Here, we show that simultaneous high-pressure and high-temperature conditions result in complex behaviour in ZIF-62 and ZIF-4, with distinct high- and low-density amorphous phases occurring over different regions of the pressure–temperature phase diagram. In situ powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy reveal that the stability of the liquid MOF state expands substantially towards lower temperatures at intermediate, industrially achievable pressures and first-principles molecular dynamics show that softening of the framework coordination with pressure makes melting thermodynamically easier. Furthermore, the MOF glass formed by melt quenching the high-temperature liquid possesses permanent, accessible porosity. Our results thus imply a route to the synthesis of functional MOF glasses at low temperatures, avoiding decomposition on heating at ambient pressure

Diagramme de phase du fer en conditions extrêmes par des méthodes résolues en temps

This thesis concerns the study of the phase diagram of iron at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. Iron is the main constituent of the terrestrial planetary cores. In particular, the Earth has a solid inner core and a liquid outer core which are mainly composed of iron. The accurate determination of the melting temperature of iron at the inner core boundary pressure, 330 GPa, would provide an important constraint on the temperature of the core, which is essential to understand how the dynamic Earth works. The phase diagram of iron has been investigated in laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments up to 200 GPa using synchrotron-based fast X-ray Diffraction as a primary melting diagnostic. The obtained melting temperatures agree within the experimental uncertainties with the ones obtained from shock wave experiments and are higher than those reported by previous static experiments, where a different melting criterion was used. The apparatus, methods and metrology used in the static laser heated diamond anvil cell are discussed together with the issues encountered in static experiments at such extreme conditions. The possibility of using the X-ray diffraction signal of Re gasket for pressure calibration purpose for experiment in the multi-Mbar range is also discussed. For this purpose, Re equation of state has been measured up to 144 GPa. Finally, a preliminary test has been performed to check the possibility of using energy dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy as a technique complementary to fast X-ray diffraction in the investigation of the melting curve of iron.Cette thèse concerne l'étude du diagramme de phase du fer en conditions extrêmes de pression et température. La Terre possède un noyau interne solide et un noyau externe liquide, qui sont principalement composés de fer. Une détermination fiable de la température de fusion du fer à 330 GPa, pression au-delà de laquelle le noyau terrestre est solide, permet de contraindre la température du noyau, ce qui est essentiel pour comprendre la dynamique terrestre. Le diagramme de phase du fer a été étudié jusqu'à 200 GPa en cellule à enclumes de diamant chauffée par laser utilisant la diffraction par rayon X comme diagnostic de l¿apparition de la fusion. Les températures obtenues sont en accord avec celles mesurées par compression dynamique, aux incertitudes expérimentales près, et sont plus élevées que celles obtenues lors de précédentes expériences statiques utilisant un critère de fusion différent. L'appareil, les méthodes et la métrologie utilisés pour les expériences en cellule à enclume de diamant chauffée par laser sont présentées ainsi que les problèmes rencontrés dans les expériences statiques à de telles conditions extrêmes. La possibilité d'utiliser le signal de diffraction des rayons X du joint en Re à des fins d'étalonnage de la pression pour l'expérimentation dans le domaine du multi-Mbar est aussi abordée. Dans ce but, l'équation d¿état du Re a été mesurée à 144 GPa. En fin, un test préliminaire a été effectué pour vérifier la possibilité d'utiliser la spectroscopie d'absorption des rayons X en dispersion d'énergie comme une technique complémentaire à la diffraction des rayons X pour la détermination de la courbe de fusion du fer

A Practical Review of the Laser-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell for University Laboratories and Synchrotron Applications

In the past couple of decades, the laser-heated diamond anvil cell (combined with in situ techniques) has become an extensively used tool for studying pressure-temperature-induced evolution of various physical (and chemical) properties of materials. In this review, the general challenges associated with the use of the laser-heated diamond anvil cells are discussed together with the recent progress in the use of this tool combined with synchrotron X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy

Hot black ices

At high pressure and temperature, water forms two crystalline phases, known as hot 'black' ices due to their partial opaqueness. A detailed characterization of these phases may explain magnetic feld formation in giant icy planets like Neptune

Properties of Transition Metals and Their Compounds at Extreme Conditions

The characterisation of the physical and chemical properties of transition metals and their compounds under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature has always attracted the interest of a wide scientific community [...