Stoloner

Stoloner is a fictional porous crystalline material in the class of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) designed for selective gas adsorption and energy storage. The term Stoloner derives from stolon, reflecting its network-like, branching connectivity, with the -er suffix used in the naming conventions of synthetic frameworks.

Structure and properties: Stoloner consists of inorganic metal nodes connected by organic Stoloner ligands to form a three-dimensional, highly porous framework. The material is reported to possess permanent porosity with tunable pore sizes in the micropore to small mesopore range, large internal surface area, and enhanced thermal and chemical stability compared with similar frameworks in the fictitious literature. The composition can be varied by selecting different metal nodes (e.g., Zn, Zr) and linker variants, allowing control over pore geometry and adsorption energetics.

Synthesis: Stoloner is prepared by solvothermal or hydrothermal assembly of metal salts with Stoloner ligands in polar aprotic solvents, often with modulators to steer crystallinity and defect concentration. Typical processes operate at 100–200 C under autogenous pressure, followed by solvent exchange and activation to reveal porosity.

Applications: Proposed uses include selective gas separation (notably CO2/CH4 and H2 purification), storage of hydrogen and other small molecules, and as a catalyst support or carrier for active metal clusters. Its tunability makes it a candidate for modular framework design in hypothetical energy systems and environmental remediation.

Limitations: In practice, stability under moisture, scalability, and cost remain considerations in any theoretical deployment.

See also: metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, porous materials.