Conducting Metal-Organic Frameworks
Laboratory Directed Research and Development

Jeffrey R. Long, Investigator

This program will attempt to establish two new classes of conducting materials, both involving
metal-organic frameworks.  Particular focus will be on achieving microporous materials with an
electrically conducting framework, and on anionic-framework materials exhibiting a high lithium ion
conductivity.  Conducting materials of this type are of potential interest for a variety of properties and applications, including:  light-weight conductors, chemical sensing via conductivity changes,
thermoelectric materials, and battery electrolytes.

Recent work has led to tremendous progress in the synthesis of extended network solids via solution-based reactions between labile metal complexes and rigid organic bridging ligands.  While the design aspect of this approach has afforded significant progress towards applications in magnetism, molecular separations, gas storage, and heterogeneous catalysis, almost no efforts have been directed toward creating electrical and ionic conductors.  Organic bridging ligands already demonstrated to promote strong electronic coupling within mixed-valence coordination complexes will be employed in the synthesis of three-dimensional framework materials.  Methods for creating anionic frameworks will be developed with the intention of generating inert pore systems conducive to high mobilities for guest lithium cations.  High-throughput technology currently under development in our laboratory is expected to accelerate this research.