Jie Liang

Bio: Jie Liang is an academic researcher from Peking University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Germanate & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 23 publications receiving 771 citations. Previous affiliations of Jie Liang include Nanyang Technological University & Stockholm University.

Heterogeneous Catalysis in Zeolites, Mesoporous Silica, and Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Abstract: Crystalline porous materials are important in the development of catalytic systems with high scientific and industrial impact. Zeolites, ordered mesoporous silica, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are three types of porous materials that can be used as heterogeneous catalysts. This review focuses on a comparison of the catalytic activities of zeolites, mesoporous silica, and MOFs. In the first part of the review, the distinctive properties of these porous materials relevant to catalysis are discussed, and the corresponding catalytic reactions are highlighted. In the second part, the catalytic behaviors of zeolites, mesoporous silica, and MOFs in four types of general organic reactions (acid, base, oxidation, and hydrogenation) are compared. The advantages and disadvantages of each porous material for catalytic reactions are summarized. Conclusions and prospects for future development of these porous materials in this field are provided in the last section. This review aims to highlight recent research advancements in zeolites, ordered mesoporous silica, and MOFs for heterogeneous catalysis, and inspire further studies in this rapidly developing field.

Self-Supporting Metal-Organic Layers as Single-Site Solid Catalysts.

Abstract: Metal-organic layers (MOLs) represent an emerging class of tunable and functionalizable two-dimensional materials. In this work, the scalable solvothermal synthesis of self-supporting MOLs composed of [Hf6O4(OH)4(HCO2)6] secondary building units (SBUs) and benzene-1,3,5-tribenzoate (BTB) bridging ligands is reported. The MOL structures were directly imaged by TEM and AFM, and doped with 4'-(4-benzoate)-(2,2',2''-terpyridine)-5,5''-dicarboxylate (TPY) before being coordinated with iron centers to afford highly active and reusable single-site solid catalysts for the hydrosilylation of terminal olefins. MOL-based heterogeneous catalysts are free from the diffusional constraints placed on all known porous solid catalysts, including metal-organic frameworks. This work uncovers an entirely new strategy for designing single-site solid catalysts and opens the door to a new class of two-dimensional coordination materials with molecular functionalities.

Pore size-controlled gases and alcohols separation within ultramicroporous homochiral lanthanide–organic frameworks

Abstract: A novel homochiral ultramicroporous lanthanide–organic framework, Ce(BTB)(H2O) (1) (H3BTB = 1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoic acid), with high surface area and two types of open ultramicropores has been synthesized under solvothermal condition, which exhibits an unusual stepwise hysteretic adsorption of O2 and N2 at 77 K and high-efficiency gas separations of CO2/N2 and CH4/N2 at 273 K. The ultramicropores of 1 lead to an unprecedented separation of the propanol isomers due to the slight differences of their geometry and dipole moments. Furthermore, the method for calculating the surface-area and gas separation for 1 is summarized. These will provide a general methodology that can be employed to simulate the surface area and gas separation properties of ultramicroporous materials.

Hydrothermal growths, optical features and first-principles calculations of sillenite-type crystals comprising discrete MO4 tetrahedra

Abstract: Highly crystalline single crystals of sillenite-type Bi10Cd3O20 and Bi12(BixM1−x)O20 (M = B, Si, P, V, Mn, Fe, Ga, Ge) were successfully grown under mild hydrothermal conditions. Bulk crystals with smallest average size of 100 μm and preferable shapes can be obtained by optimizing respective growth conditions. The morphologies for Bi25FeO40 show regular evolutions along with different synthesis routes. Characterizations were performed by means of powder X-ray diffraction analyses, chemical analyses, optical spectra and first-principles calculations. It is found that all of the crystals possess certain transparency along with distinct absorptions in the visible region, corresponding to the discrete MO4 tetrahedra in the crystal lattices. Band gap energies of the fabricated sillenite crystals vary from approximately 1.66 eV for Bi12(Bi0.375Mn0.625)O20 to 2.85 eV for Bi12GeO20, as estimated from the absorption data. The impacts of tetrahedrally coordinated transition-metal cations on their electronic structures were investigated by first-principles computational approaches.

Two-dimensional metal-organic framework nanosheets: synthesis and applications.

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are attracting increasing research attention due to their unique properties originating from their ultrathin thickness, large surface area and high surface-to-volume atom ratios. Many great advances have been made in the synthesis and application of 2D MOF nanosheets over the past few years. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets by using top-down methods, e.g. sonication exfoliation, mechanical exfoliation, Li-intercalation exfoliation and chemical exfoliation, and bottom-up methods, i.e. interfacial synthesis, three-layer synthesis, surfactant-assisted synthesis, modulated synthesis, and sonication synthesis. In addition, the recent progress in 2D MOF nanosheet-based nanocomposites is also briefly introduced. The potential applications of 2D MOF nanosheets in gas separation, energy conversion and storage, catalysis, sensors and biomedicine are discussed. Finally, we give our personal insights into the challenges and opportunities for the future research of 2D MOF nanosheets and their composites.

Metal-organic frameworks and their derived materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion: Promises and challenges.

Abstract: In addition to their conventional uses, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently emerged as an interesting class of functional materials and precursors of inorganic materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. This class of MOF-related materials can be broadly categorized into two groups: pristine MOF-based materials and MOF-derived functional materials. Although the diversity in composition and structure leads to diverse and tunable functionalities of MOF-based materials, it appears that much more effort in this emerging field is devoted to synthesizing MOF-derived materials for electrochemical applications. This is in view of two main drawbacks of MOF-based materials: the low conductivity nature and the stability issue. On the contrary, MOF-derived synthesis strategies have substantial advantages in controlling the composition and structure of MOF-derived materials. From this perspective, we review some emerging applications of both groups of MOF-related materials as electrode materials for rechargeable batteries and electrochemical capacitors, efficient electrocatalysts, and even electrolytes for electrochemical devices. By highlighting the advantages and challenges of each class of materials for different applications, we hope to shed some light on the future development of this highly exciting area.

Synthesis of micro/nanoscaled metal-organic frameworks and their direct electrochemical applications.

Abstract: As a new class of crystalline porous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received great attention owing to their unique advantages of ultrahigh surface area, large pore volume and versatile applications. Developing different strategies to control the morphology and size of MOFs is very important for their practical applications. Recently, micro/nanosized MOFs have been regarded as promising candidates for electrode materials with excellent performances, which not only bridge the gap between fundamental MOF science and forward-looking applications, but also provide an opportunity to make clear the relationship between morphologies and properties. This review focuses on the design and fabrication of one-, two- and three-dimensional MOFs at micro/nanoscale, and their direct applications in batteries, supercapacitors and electrocatalysis. A discussion on challenges and future prospects of the synthesis and electrochemical applications of micro/nanoscaled MOF materials is presented.

Metal-Organic Framework-Based Catalysts with Single Metal Sites.

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of distinctive porous crystalline materials constructed by metal ions/clusters and organic linkers. Owing to their structural diversity, functional adjustability, and high surface area, different types of MOF-based single metal sites are well exploited, including coordinately unsaturated metal sites from metal nodes and metallolinkers, as well as active metal species immobilized to MOFs. Furthermore, controllable thermal transformation of MOFs can upgrade them to nanomaterials functionalized with active single-atom catalysts (SACs). These unique features of MOFs and their derivatives enable them to serve as a highly versatile platform for catalysis, which has actually been becoming a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research area. In this review, we overview the recent developments of catalysis at single metal sites in MOF-based materials with emphasis on their structures and applications for thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis. We also compare the results and summarize the major insights gained from the works in this review, providing the challenges and prospects in this emerging field.