From Melts to Frameworks

• Applicant: Dr. Alexandra Lieb
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 33587819

Framework materials are an important field in solid state chemistry, due to their important applications in different areas like ion exchange, catalyses, gas storage or as non-linear optical materials. Oxo-tetrahedral frameworks are the most prevalent structures and include zeolites and aluminophosphates; most of the time such compounds are synthesised by hydrothermal methods. The aim of the project is to establish a new and promising synthetic method i.e. producing new framework compounds from reactive melts, both via new high-throughput and sequential syntheses. The studies will mainly take place in the chemical systems of boroarsenates, boroantimonates and carboxylate-borates, targeting compounds for optical applications (NLO or luminescence properties of rare earth doped materials) and / or gas storage materials (porous frameworks). The research will also aim to develop an understanding of the basic formation mechanisms (subject to parameters such as temperature and composition) and phase stability of the new compounds. To characterise these compounds properly a wide range of analytical methods (e.g. powder and single-crystal X-ray analysis, solid state NMR techniques) will be performed and evaluated.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Host: Professor Mark T. Weller