Integration of a (-Cu-S-)<sub>n</sub> plane in a metal-organic framework affords high electrical conductivity.

Pathak, Abhishek; Shen, Jing-Wen; Usman, Muhammad; Wei, Ling-Fang; Mendiratta, Shruti; Chang, Yu-Shin; Sainbileg, Batjargal; Ngue, Chin-May et al. · Nat Commun · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Designing highly conducting metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is currently a subject of great interest for their potential applications in diverse areas encompassing energy storage and generation. Herein, a strategic design in which a metal-sulfur plane is integrated within a MOF to achieve high electrical conductivity, is successfully demonstrated. The MOF {[Cu<sub>2</sub>(6-Hmna)(6-mn)]·NH<sub>4</sub>}<sub>n</sub> (1, 6-Hmna = 6-mercaptonicotinic acid, 6-mn = 6-mercaptonicotinate), consisting of a two dimensional (-Cu-S-)<sub>n</sub> plane, is synthesized from the reaction of Cu(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, and 6,6'-dithiodinicotinic acid via the in situ cleavage of an S-S bond under hydrothermal conditions. A single crystal of the MOF is found to have a low activation energy (6 meV), small bandgap (1.34 eV) and a highest electrical conductivity (10.96 S cm<sup>-1</sup>) among MOFs for single crystal measurements. This approach provides an ideal roadmap for producing highly conductive MOFs with great potential for applications in batteries, thermoelectric, supercapacitors and related areas.