Structural and Gas Retention Changes Induced by Ozonization of Cobalt(II) and Manganese(II) Hexacyanocobaltates(III)

Transition metal hexacyanocobaltates are porous materials with open metal sites and a wide variety of pores. In this work, manganese(II) and cobalt(II) hexacyanocobaltates(III) have been selected to explore the interactions between the open metal sites located in their pores and the guest molecules: hydrogen, carbon dioxide, water and methanol. An experimental setup was designed and implemented to conduct post-synthesis modification of the solids with ozone. Samples were dehydrated, ozonized and saturated with methanol in situ. Ozone molecules acted on the open metal sites changing their oxidation state, causing a contraction of the unit cell and inducing a stronger interaction of the molecules of water and methanol with the lattice. This strengthening prevented the lattice from being evacuated without compromising its framework stability. The decomposition temperature decreased in all ozonized samples as a consequence of the elongation and weakening of the cobalt-carbon bond. Active infrared and Raman bands were used to monitor the interaction between the open metal sites at the framework surface and the guest molecules. The cell contraction and the presence of residual methanol molecules in the porosity reduced the hydrogen and carbon dioxide retention capacity of the samples.