Single-Crystal Adsorbents: A New Observation Field for Light Aggregates

摘要

Determination of the properties of low-dimensional aggregates using gas clathrate compounds has interested researchers for the past 50 years. The most ideal system for investigating the physicochemical properties of atomic/molecular aggregates would be single-crystal systems due to their extremely high degree of integrity and regularity. Such systems would contribute to a wide range of both pure and applied science; from basic objects to device applications. A single-crystal adsorbent is one of the goals that may be reached through the design of porous solids, and has been the subject of extensive study in recent years for its extended inorganic framework. The ideal system should provide the long-awaited method for studying physicochemical properties of specific aggregate structures produced within the inner surface of the host solid. In fact, all previous observations were only characterized in powdered samples. Here, we present a new convenient procedure for the inclusion of a light gas into a single-crystalline state by placing a crystal adsorbent in a gaseous guest atmosphere, which is efficient for ascertaining exact molecular/atomic structures with high resolution for included light aggregates such as oxygen.