Metal-organic frameworks are ideal platforms for new functionalization such as, the confinement of metallic nanoparticles within their pores. However, the insertion of nanoparticles could impact the framework’s mechanical stability. Here, we investigate the high-pressure behavior of the mesoporous MOF MIL-101 loaded with Pd nanoparticles (20, 35 wt%) by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The presence of Pd nanoparticles enhances the mechanical stability of MIL-101, with a bulk modulus and a crystalline-amorphous transition pressure increasing with the Pd loading. This is attributed to the nanoparticle’s steric hindrance whereas the presence of host-guest chemical interactions is ruled out by infrared spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate that the incorporation of nanoparticles makes MOFs not only more functional but also more mechanically stable.
Increase of the amorphization pressure with the content of Pd nanoparticles.