Enhancing catalytic activity through self-assembled hydrogen-bonded organic framework-based catalysts at liquid/liquid interface for 4-nitrophenol reduction and energy challenges in methanol fuel cell

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) are pure organic framework structures endowed with appropriate flexibility and porosity, which have attracted special attention in the field of energy and water, air, and soil remediation. In this study, six HOF-based materials were synthesized as thin film at the liquid/liquid (toluene/ water) interface and characterized by FT-IR, Raman, UV–Vis, PXRD, ICP, AFM, SEM, TGA, and BET techniques. The self-assembled HOF-based thin films were employed as catalysts for the 4-nitrophenol removal from water medium and, for the first time, for methanol oxidation of fuel cell, with satisfying results. Simultaneous in situ catalyst formation and 4-nitrophenol reduction occurred in the case of Pt(0)@HOF thin film, but an extraordinary removal (not reduction) occurred in the presence of Pt(0)-trimesic acid thin film by formation of a new HOF from trimesic acid and 4-nitrophenol. Successful reduction of 4-nitrophenol occurred also in the presence of freshly prepared Pt(0)-trimesic acid, Pt(0)-melamine and Pt(0)@HOF catalysts (ex situ strategy). The chemical and thermal stability of HOF structure was improved by the interpenetration of ZIF-8 crystal structure, by increasing the hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking in the presence of 2-methylimidazole. The interpenetration of ZIF-8 to the crystal structure of HOF caused a significant decrease of the pore diameter of the structure. These pores acted as specific sites for the guest molecules, and their dimensions did not permit 4-nitrophenol to penetrate into the cavity of structures whereas allowed methanol penetration into these cavities due to its smaller size.