Unprecedented Radiation Resistant Thorium–Binaphthol Metal–Organic Framework Article Swipe

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irradiation crystallinity thorium chemistry radiation damage radiation resistance radiation ion diffraction radiochemistry metal nuclear chemistry crystallography uranium materials science nuclear physics optics organic chemistry physics metallurgy

Sara E. Gilson , Melissa Fairley , Patrick Julien , Allen G. Oliver , Sylvia L. Hanna , Grace Arntz , Omar K. Farha , Jay A. LaVerne , Peter C. Burns ·

YOU? · · 2020 · Open Access · · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.0c05272 · OA: W3044598481

A thorium-organic framework (TOF-16) containing hexameric secondary building units connected by functionalized binaphthol linkers was synthesized, characterized, and irradiated to probe its radiation resistance. Radiation stability was examined using γ-rays and 5 MeV He2+ ions to simulate α particles. γ-irradiation of TOF-16 to an unprecedented 4 MGy dose resulted in no apparent bulk structural damage visible by X-ray diffraction. To further probe radiation stability, we conducted the first He2+ ion irradiation study of a metal-organic framework (MOF). Diffraction data indicate onset of crystallinity loss upon approximately 15 MGy of irradiation and total loss of crystallinity upon exposure to approximately 25 MGy of He2+ ion irradiation. The high radiation resistance observed suggests MOFs can withstand radiation exposure at doses found in nuclear waste streams and highlights the need for a systematic approach to understand and eventually design frameworks with exceptional radiation resistance.