Metal-Organic Frameworks

05.07.2024

Metal-Organic Frameworks

Why in the news?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Researchers have carried out an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying the flexibility of crystals of Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) and introduced a novel quantitative measure of mechanical flexibility for crystals.

About Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs):

• MOFs are a class of porous, crystalline materials with a broad range of applications.
• They are composed of metal ions or clusters, which act as the joints, bound by multidirectional organic ligands, which act as linkers in the network structure.
• These crystalline materials possess the remarkable ability to absorb gasses, such as carbon dioxide, and store them as well as act as filters for crude oil purification.
• MOFs derive their ability from the presence of nanopores, enhancing their surface areas that, in turn, make them adept at absorbing and storing gasses.
• Flexibility in crystals has been assessed in terms of a parameter called elastic modulus, which is a measure of a material’s resistance to strain-induced deformation.
• They have limited stability and mechanical weakness, hindering their broader applications.

New quantitative measure of mechanical flexibility

○A new study proposes a unique theoretical measure based on the fractional release of elastic stress or strain energy through internal structural rearrangements under symmetry constraints.

○This new metric can be readily calculated using standard techniques of simulation and can rate the flexibility of a crystal on a scale of zero to one, zero signifying the least flexibility while one indicates maximum flexibility.

                                               Source: PIB

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Metal-organic frameworks:

Statement-I

They are made up of porous, crystalline materials with a broad range of applications.

Statement-II

They can be used as filters for crude oil purification.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C