A photocatalytic active Titanium-Metal-organic framework-inorganic glass composite

Metal-organic framework (MOF) composites are proposed as solutions to the mechanical instability of pure MOF materials. Here we present a new compositional series of the recently discovered MOF-crystalline inorganic glass composites. In this case, formed by the combination of a photocatalytic titanium MOF (MIL-125-NH2) and a phosphate-based glass (20%Na2O-10%Na2SO4-70%P2O5). This new family of composites has been synthesised and characterised using powder X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray total scattering. Through the analysis of the pair distribution function extracted from X-ray total scattering data, the atom-atom interactions at the MOF-glass interface are described. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide isotherms demonstrate good surface area values, despite the pelletisation and mixing of the MOF with a dense inorganic glass. The catalytic activity of these materials was investigated in the photooxidation of amines to imines, showing retention of the photocatalytic effectiveness of the parent pristine MOF.