Structural and InterfacialCharacterization of a PhotocatalyticTitanium MOF-Phosphate Glass Composite

Metal–organic framework (MOF) composites are proposed as solutions to the mechanical instability of pure MOF materials. Here, we present a new compositional series of recently discovered MOF–crystalline inorganic glass composites. In this case, formed by the combination of a photocatalytic titanium MOF (MIL-125-NH₂) and a phosphate-based glass (20%Na₂O–10%Na₂SO₄–70%P₂O₅). This new family of composites has been synthesized and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray total scattering. Through analysis of the pair distribution function extracted from X-ray total scattering data, the atom–atom interactions at the MOF–glass interface are described. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide isotherms demonstrate good surface area values despite the pelletization and mixing of the MOF with a dense inorganic glass. The catalytic activity of these materials was investigated in the photooxidation of amines to imines, showing the retention of the photocatalytic effectiveness of the parent pristine MOF.