A recent study co-authored by Prof. Jin Shang, Associate Professor from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), and his PhD student Mr. Daisong Chen, titled “Zero- to One-Dimensional Transformation in a Highly Porous Metal–Organic Framework to Enhance Physicochemical Properties”, has been published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). This innovative research showcases a remarkable advancement in the field of porous materials, highlighting a novel cerium-based metal-organic framework (HKU-9) that undergoes a rare three-step single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation, shifting from zero-dimensional clusters to one-dimensional chains.

In this collaborative effort, Prof. Seungkyu Lee’s team at the University of Hong Kong spearheaded the design and synthesis of this unique porous crystal, while Prof. Shang’s team contributed critical insights into gas adsorption behavior and structure–property relationships. Their combined expertise underscores the significance of integrating advanced material design with fundamental adsorption studies, paving the way for new discoveries in functional materials and sustainable applications.

For more details, the full paper can be accessed at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jacs.5c03967