In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method for capturing alkenes that includes: associating the alkenes with metal-organic frameworks, where the metal-organic frameworks includes one or more metals and one or more ligands coordinated with the one or more metals, and where the metal-organic frameworks are conductive; and oxidizing the metal-organic frameworks, where the oxidizing results in a capturing of the alkenes by the metal-organic frameworks. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a system for capturing alkenes that includes: metal-organic frameworks, where the metal-organic frameworks include one or more metals and one or more ligands coordinated with the one or more metals, and where the metal-organic frameworks are conductive; and an alkene feed source associated with the metal-organic frameworks, where the alkene feed source is configured to deliver an alkene feed to the system.

Visibly transparent photovoltaic devices are disclosed, such as those are transparent to visible light but absorb near-infrared light and/or ultraviolet light. The photovoltaic devices make use of transparent electrodes and near-infrared absorbing visibly transparent photoactive compounds, optical materials, and/or buffer materials.

An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 μm. Confining the volume of the reaction mixture to a thin layer adjacent the substrate surface significantly reduces problems with sedimentation and concentration control. In some embodiments, the size, shape, or average thickness of the gap is adjusted during formation of the film in response to feedback from at least one film growth monitor.

An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 μm. Confining the volume of the reaction mixture to a thin layer adjacent the substrate surface significantly reduces problems with sedimentation and concentration control. In some embodiments, the size, shape, or average thickness of the gap is adjusted during formation of the film in response to feedback from at least one film growth monitor.

A method for manufacturing a zero-valent nickel compound, the method comprising supplying a nickel(II) source to a first continuous reactor; supplying a diene-based compound to the first continuous reactor; supplying a reducing agent to the first continuous reactor; and conducting a reaction of the nickel(II) source, the diene-based compound and the reducing agent in the first continuous reactor, and a method for manufacturing a polymer using a nickel complex obtained by reacting the zero-valent nickel compound and a ligand are provided.

A method for manufacturing a zero-valent nickel compound, the method comprising supplying a nickel(II) source to a first continuous reactor; supplying a diene-based compound to the first continuous reactor; supplying a reducing agent to the first continuous reactor; and conducting a reaction of the nickel(II) source, the diene-based compound and the reducing agent in the first continuous reactor, and a method for manufacturing a polymer using a nickel complex obtained by reacting the zero-valent nickel compound and a ligand are provided.

The present invention provides a metal-organic framework material for the adsorptive separation of acetylene/ethylene mixture and preparation method therefor. The metal-organic framework material is named TJE-2 with a chemical formula of [Ni(pyc)(apyz)].sub.n, wherein, Ni represents nickel as a metal center, pyc represents the organic ligand 1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid, and apyz represents the organic ligand 2-aminopyrazine. The preparation method is as follows: thoroughly dissolving pyc, apyz and Ni(NO.sub.3).sub.2.Math.6H.sub.2O, transferring the mixture to a pressure-resistant closed container for heating reaction, followed by solvent exchange and activation to obtain a homogeneous powder material. The ultra-microporous metal-organic framework material prepared by the present invention features a significantly high C.sub.2H.sub.2 adsorption capacity, good selectivity, and low raw material costs, and therefore can realize C.sub.2H.sub.2/C.sub.2H.sub.4 separation at lower costs.

Provided are new nickel./zirconium-mediated coupling reactions useful in the synthesis of ketone-containing compounds, e.g., halichondrin natural products and related molecules. A feature of the present disclosure is the use of a nickel(I) catalyst in tandem with a nickel (II) catalyst in the Ni/Zr-mediated coupling reactions. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the nickel (I) catalyst selectively activates the electrophilic coupling partner (i.e., the compound of Formula (A)), and the nickel(ll) catalyst selectively activates the nucleophilic coupling partner (i.e., a thioester of Formula (B)). This dual catalyst system leads to improved coupling efficiency and eliminates the need for a large excess of one of the coupling partners (i.e., a compound of Formula (A) or (B)).

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of sensing an analyte in a sample by: (1) exposing the sample to an electrode that includes a covalent-organic framework with a plurality of metal-coordinated aromatic units that are linked to one another by aromatic linkers; (2) detecting a change in a property of the electrode; and (3) correlating the change in the property to the presence or absence of the analyte. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to said covalent-organic frameworks. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the covalent-organic frameworks.

A method of preparing a self-healing composition is disclosed, the method including following steps. An isocyanate solution, a dihydric alcohol solution, and a metal salt solution are provided. The dihydric alcohol has heterocyclic structures. The isocyanate solution and the dihydric alcohol solution are mixed, causing the isocyanate and the dihydric alcohol polymerize to form a polymer precursor. The polymer precursor includes a hard segment and a soft segment. The hard segment includes urethane groups, the soft segment includes heterocyclic structures. The polymer precursor and the metal salt solution are mixed, causing the heterocyclic structures and metal ions to undergo a chelation reaction to form a coordination complex, thereby forming the self-healing composition. A self-healing composition prepared by the method, and self-healing film using the self-healing composition are also disclosed.