Nanoporous Water-Stable Zr-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks for Water Adsorption

Studying the hydrolytic stability in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is essential for practical implementations. Herein, we designed a new nanoporous MOF, NU-950, with sqc topology and studied the water sorption of three polymorphs NU-901 (scu), NU-1000 (csq), and NU-950 (sqc). The work reveled the effect of topology on the water stability. Additionally, we described a facile and generalizable method to improve the water stability of the as-synthesized Zr-based MOFs using a small hydrophobic capping agent, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The work highlighted the synergistic effect of topology and pore environment control in improving the water stability of nanoporous Zr-based MOFs.