EAGER: Nuclear Transmutation in Metal Organic Frameworks through Neutron Absorption

EAGER：通过中子吸收实现金属有机框架中的核嬗变

• 批准号: 2324984
• 负责人: Qiang Zhang
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: Washington State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-15 至 2025-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2324984&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Nuclear; Transmutation; Metal; Organic

With the support of the Chemical Synthesis program in the Division of Chemistry, Qiang Zhang and Zachariah Heiden of Washington State University aim to develop an innovative way to create unique mixed-metal structures in metal-organic frameworks through nuclear transmutation and study their stability under irradiation. Metal-organic frameworks are made by linking metal ions with organic molecules to form structures that can be one, two, or three-dimensional in nature. Such structures can be considered as microscopic scaffolds with holes or pockets. These pockets can be up to 90% of the volume of the structures, which means they are highly porous like a sponge. Traditional methods have struggled to create these structures with specific mixed metal species, but this new transmutation approach could be the key to overcoming this significant limitation. If successful, the materials resulting from this approach are expected to have unique properties that could potentially bring significant advances to various fields such as sensor technology, catalyst development, and materials that can absorb specific substances. A vital aspect of this project is the investigation into how these materials behave under extreme conditions. This knowledge could help in creating materials that can withstand harsh environments such as outer space, or that can improve nuclear waste management. The project will offer unique opportunities for students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to get hands-on training and experience in porous materials synthesis and nuclear reactor operation under the guidance of Drs. Zhang and Heiden.The funded research aims to apply nuclear transmutation within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to introduce secondary metal centers and study their stability under neutron irradiation. The resilience of these new materials under neutron radiation will be rigorously assessed based on their elemental composition, structure, and neutron dose. The level of activated isotopes, which is determined by the neutron dosage, can be controlled by adjusting the neutron irradiation flux while monitoring decay processes. The anticipated consequence of incorporating these secondary metal centers into the MOF structure is a significant alteration in both the stability and electronic properties of the target MOFs. For instance, the introduction of chromium into vanadium MOFs is expected to enhance material stability. The formation of chromium within vanadium MOFs is also expected to alter the electronic properties of the MOF, as the size, acidity and redox chemistry of Cr ions are different from those of the V ions. The project will probe the coordination chemistry and structural dynamics of these materials under neutron flux. This high risk/high potential reward project has the potential to uncover innovative methodologies for developing advanced materials with enhanced properties and functionalities, thereby potentially making a significant contribution to the field of materials science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

在化学合成计划的支持下，华盛顿州立大学的Qiang Zhang和Zachariah Heiden的目标是开发一种创新的方式，通过核能传播中的金属有机框架中创建独特的混合金属结构，并研究其在辐射下的稳定性。金属有机框架是通过将金属离子与有机分子连接起来形成可能是一，二或三维本质上的结构来制成的。这些结构可以被视为带有孔或口袋的微观支架。这些口袋最多可以是结构体积的90％，这意味着它们像海绵一样高度多孔。传统方法一直在努力用特定的混合金属物种来创建这些结构，但是这种新的trans变方法可能是克服这一重大限制的关键。如果成功的话，这种方法产生的材料有望具有独特的特性，可能会为各个领域带来重大进步，例如传感器技术，催化剂开发和可以吸收特定物质的材料。该项目的一个重要方面是对这些材料在极端条件下的行为的调查。这些知识可以帮助创建可以承受诸如外太空之类的恶劣环境的材料，或者可以改善核废料管理。该项目将为学生提供独特的机会，尤其是代表性不足的团体的学生，以在DRS的指导下获得多孔材料合成和核反应堆操作方面的动手培训和经验。 Zhang和Heiden的资助研究旨在在金属有机框架（MOF）中应用核透射，以引入二级金属中心并研究其在中子辐照下的稳定性。这些新材料在中子辐射下的弹性将根据其元素组成，结构和中子剂量进行严格评估。由中子剂量确定的活化同位素水平可以通过在监测衰减过程的同时调节中子照射通量来控制。将这些二级金属中心纳入MOF结构的预期结果是目标MOF的稳定性和电子特性都有重大改变。例如，将铬引入到钒MOF中有望提高材料稳定性。由于Cr离子的尺寸，酸度和氧化还原化学与V离子的大小，酸度和氧化还原化学，因此也有望改变MOF内铬的形成。该项目将在中子通量下探测这些材料的配位化学和结构动力学。这个高风险/高潜在的奖励项目有可能发现具有增强特性和功能的先进材料的创新方法，从而有可能为材料科学领域做出重大贡献。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是值得通过基金会的智力优点和更广泛影响的评估来审查的审查Criteria通过评估的支持。