Impact of plasma treatment on Ce(IV)-O-clusters and Ce(IV)-MOFs

The structural integrity of {CexZr6-xO4(OH)4} clusters (x = 6, 1) deposited inside the pores or being integral part of the metal-organic framework (MOF) upon interaction with nonthermal plasma (NTP) will be determined. Ce K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) will be employed to study the impact of Ar, H2/N2 and H2/CO2 plasma in situ. The overall goal is to correlate plasma conditions with MOF and cluster stability, cerium oxide formation and the redox chemistry of cerium.