Disclosing gate-opening/closing events inside a flexible metal–organic framework loaded with CO2 by reactive and essential dynamics

Abstract

We have combined reactive molecular dynamics simulations with principal component analysis to provide a clearer view of the interactions and motion of the CO₂ molecules inside a metal–organic framework and the movements of the MOF components that regulate storage, adsorption, and diffusion of the guest species. The tens-of-nanometer size of the simulated model, the capability of the reactive force field tuned to reproduce the inorganic–organic material confidently, and the unconventional use of essential dynamics have effectively disclosed the gate-opening/closing phenomenon, possible coordinations of CO₂ at the metal centers, all the diffusion steps inside the MOF channels, the primary motions of the linkers, and the effects of their concerted rearrangements on local CO₂ relocations.