The Surprising Stability of Cu3(btc)2 Metal-Organic Framework under Steam Flow at High Temperature

It is widely admitted that metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are water sensitive and that high temperatures accelerate the hydrolysis phenomena and the collapse of the porous network. We have investigated here the resistance of the prototypical HKUST-1 MOF under steam flow at temperatures ranging from RT to 200 degrees C. Surprisingly, the porous framework is not degraded at 200 degrees C, whereas temperatures close to 100 degrees C lead to the total destruction of the MOF. This unexpected behavior is assigned to the extended interaction of water with the porous framework at temperature about 100 degrees C, whereas above 150 degrees C the transient interactions between gaseous water and the HKUST-1 framework limit the decomposition process.