核心概念
Solvents play a crucial role in the nucleation and growth of covalent organic frameworks, as revealed by in-situ optical microscopy observations of the liquid-liquid phase separation and structured solvent formation during the synthesis process.
要約
The content discusses the early stages of covalent organic framework (COF) formation, which has been a challenge to understand due to the lack of coherent prediction rules for their synthesis conditions. The authors used interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT) to conduct in-situ studies of COF polymerization and framework formation.
The key observations and insights from the study are:
- Liquid-liquid phase separation was observed during COF synthesis, indicating the existence of structured solvents in the form of surfactant-free (micro)emulsions in conventional COF synthesis.
- The role of solvents extends beyond solubility to being kinetic modulators by compartmentation of reactants and catalyst.
- Leveraging these observations, the authors developed a new synthesis protocol for COFs using room temperature instead of elevated temperatures.
- The work connects framework synthesis with liquid phase diagrams and emphasizes that visualization of chemical reactions using light-scattering-based techniques can be a powerful approach for advancing rational materials synthesis.
統計
No key metrics or figures were provided in the content.
引用
"Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a functional material class able to harness, convert and store energy. However, after almost 20 years of research, there are no coherent prediction rules for their synthesis conditions."
"Our findings show that the role of solvents extends beyond solubility to being kinetic modulators by compartmentation of reactants and catalyst."
"This work connects framework synthesis with liquid phase diagrams and thereby enables an active design of the reaction environment, emphasizing that visualization of chemical reactions by means of light-scattering-based techniques can be a powerful approach for advancing rational materials synthesis."