title: A Reversible Crystallinity-Preserving Phase Transition in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Discovery, Mechanistic Studies, and Potential Applications.
abstract: A quenching-triggered reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) phase transition was discovered in a metal-organic framework (MOF) PCN-526. During the phase transition, the one-dimensional channel of PCN-526 distorts from square to rectangular in shape while maintaining single crystallinity. Although SC-SC transformations have been frequently observed in MOFs, most reports have focused on describing the resulting structural alterations without shedding light on the mechanism for the transformation. Interestingly, modifying the occupancy or species of metal ions in the extra-framework sites, which provides mechanistic insight into the causes for the transformation, can forbid this phase transition. Moreover, as a host scaffold, PCN-526 presents a platform for modulation of the photoluminescence properties by encapsulation of luminescent guest molecules. Through judicious choice of these guest molecules, responsive luminescence caused by SC-SC transformations can be detected, introducing a new strategy for the design of novel luminescent MOF materials.
authors.affiliation: ‡State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Dahuan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tian-Fu
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ying-Pin
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lanfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Kecheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: ‡State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Chongli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Hong-Cai
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Zhou