Sihai Yang

Notable work

In 2018, Yang led a research with Martin Schröder where they designed a novel robust Metal Organic Framework (MFM - 300(Al)) which exhibited reversible NO2 isotherm uptake of 14.1 mmol g−1 and also showed the capability to selectively remove low concentrations of NO2 (5,000 to < 1 ppm) from gaseous mixtures. The research revealed five types of supramolecular interactions that cooperatively binds both NO2 and N2O4 molecules within the MFM-300(Al) framework and also showed the coexistence of helical monomer–dimer chains of NO2 within the framework which provided an initial understanding of the behavior of guest molecules within porous hosts which may provide further development routes of future NO2 capture and conversion technologies.

In 2019, Yang led a further research with Martin Schröder where a novel Metal Organic Framework (MFM - 520) was synthesized which showcased a high adsorption capacity of NO2 (4.2 mmol g−1). The framework also showed a high turn over number and treatment of captured NO2 in the framework with water led to a quantitative conversion of the captured NO2 into HNO3 which is an important feedstock for fertilizer production.

Awards and nominations Harrison Meldola Memorial Prize (2020) CCDC Chemical Crystallography Prize for Younger Scientists (2019) ISIS Neutron & Muon Source Impact Awards (2019) Institute of Physics B T M Willis Prize (2013)

Major publications