Direct Pyrolysis of a Manganese‐Triazolate Metal–Organic Framework into Air‐Stable Manganese Nitride Nanoparticles. Issue 4 (4th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Yating; Li, Changjian; Xi, Shibo; Deng, Zeyu; Liu, Ximeng; Cheetham, Anthony K.; Wang, John
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 8:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-01-04
• Subjects: air‐stable nanoparticles -- electrocatalysis -- metal–organic frameworks -- pyrolysis -- transition‐metal nitrides; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: Although metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are being widely used to derive functional nanomaterials through pyrolysis, the actual mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the limited studies to date, elemental metallic species are found to be the initial products, which limits the variety of MOF‐derived nanomaterials. Here, the pyrolysis of a manganese triazolate MOF is examined carefully in terms of phase transformation, reaction pathways, and morphology evolution in different conditions. Surprisingly, the formation of metal is not detected when manganese triazolate is pyrolyzed in an oxygen‐free environment. Instead, a direct transformation into nanoparticles of manganese nitride, Mn2 N x embedded in N‐doped graphitic carbon took place. The electrically conductive Mn2 N x nanoparticles show much better air stability than bulk samples and exhibit promising electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction. The findings on pyrolysis mechanisms expand the potential of MOF as a precursor to derive more functional nanomaterials. Abstract : The pyrolysis of a manganese triazolate metal–organic framework (MOF) is examined in detail to reveal the mechanism in deriving MOF into functional nanomaterials. Surprisingly, a direct transformation of MOF into Mn2 N x nanoparticles instead to metal is observed. Moreover, the Mn2 N x shows much better air stability than bulk samples, due to the graphitic carbon layers in which the nanoparticles are enclosed.