Stirring and heating device, and method for synthesizing metal organic structure using same

Abstract

A stirring and heating device (10) is provided with: a container (12) formed from an electromagnetic wave-transmitting material; and an electromagnetic wave generation unit (30) that is disposed so as to face the interior of the container (12), and that irradiates an accommodation space (13) provided in the container with electromagnetic waves to heat a substance to be irradiated accommodated in the accommodation space (13). The electromagnetic wave generation unit (30) varies the level of electromagnetic wave irradiation in the depth direction (H) of the container (12), thereby causing convection in the container and stirring the substance to be irradiated.

Description

Stirring and heating device and method for synthesizing metal-organic framework using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring and heating device and a method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the same.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-260008 discloses a reactor for synthesizing compounds by microwave irradiation. In this reactor, a substance to be irradiated in a container is heated by irradiating it with microwaves. A stirring blade is installed in the container, and the substance in the container is stirred by the rotation of the stirring blade.

[0003] As described in JP 2010-260008 A, a structure in which an agitating blade is installed inside a container poses the problems of a complicated device structure, a decrease in the storage efficiency inside the container, and an increase in operating costs due to maintenance of the agitating blade.

[0004] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a stirring and heating device that can increase the storage efficiency within the container and reduce operating costs by simplifying the structure within the container, and a method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the same.

[0005] The stirring and heating device described in the first aspect comprises a container formed from an electromagnetic wave transparent material, and an electromagnetic wave generating unit arranged facing the inside of the container and irradiating electromagnetic waves into a storage space provided in the container, thereby heating an irradiated substance stored in the storage space, and the electromagnetic wave generating unit is configured to generate convection within the container by varying the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves in the depth direction of the container, thereby stirring the irradiated substance.

[0006] The stirring and heating device according to the first aspect includes a container formed of an electromagnetic wave-transmitting material and an electromagnetic wave generator that irradiates electromagnetic waves into a storage space provided within the container. The stirring and heating device heats the irradiated substance stored in the container by the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generator. Here, the electromagnetic wave generator generates convection within the container by varying the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves along the depth direction of the container. This allows the irradiated substance to be stirred without installing a rotor such as an agitator blade within the container, simplifying the structure within the container. Furthermore, maintenance of the rotor is not required. As a result, the storage efficiency within the container can be increased and operating costs can be reduced.

[0007] The stirring and heating device of the second aspect is the first aspect, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating unit irradiates the electromagnetic waves so that the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves is highest at a lower part of the container.

[0008] In the stirring and heating device of the second aspect, the electromagnetic wave generator irradiates electromagnetic waves so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level is highest at the bottom of the container. This generates convection within the container, rising from the bottom to the top of the storage space. As a result, stagnation of the irradiated substance at the bottom of the container is suppressed, and the irradiated substance can be stirred efficiently.

[0009] The stirring and heating device of the third aspect has the configuration described in claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating unit has a plurality of irradiation units arranged along the depth direction of the container, and the plurality of irradiation units are set to have different electromagnetic wave irradiation levels so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level decreases from the bottom to the top of the container.

[0010] In the stirring and heating device of the third aspect, the electromagnetic wave generating unit has a plurality of irradiation units arranged along the depth direction of the container. The irradiation units are set to have different electromagnetic wave irradiation levels so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level decreases from the bottom to the top of the container. This allows convection currents rising from the bottom to the top of the storage space within the container to reach the top of the container. As a result, stagnation of the irradiated substance in the upper part of the container is suppressed, and the irradiated substance can be stirred efficiently.

[0011] A stirring and heating device of a fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating units are arranged as a pair with the container sandwiched between them.

[0012] In the stirring and heating device of the fourth aspect, a pair of electromagnetic wave generators are arranged on either side of the container. This allows the irradiated substance in the container to be heated from both sides of the container. As a result, bias in convection within the container is suppressed, allowing the irradiated substance to be stirred efficiently.

[0013] The stirring and heating device of the fifth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the container has an electromagnetic wave irradiation area set along or near the outer periphery of the container, and a central part of the container is set as a non-irradiation area of ​​the electromagnetic waves.

[0014] In the stirring and heating device of the fifth aspect, the area along or near the outer periphery of the container is set as an electromagnetic wave irradiation area, and the center of the container is set as an electromagnetic wave non-irradiation area. This makes it possible to generate convection that circulates from the outer periphery toward the center inside the container. As a result, convection is generated throughout the entire container, allowing the irradiated material to be stirred efficiently.

[0015] The stirring and heating device of the sixth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, and further comprises a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the irradiated substance in the container, a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of the irradiated substance in the container, and a control unit that controls the ON / OFF of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generating unit based on the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor and the flow rate sensor, and the control unit turns off the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves when the temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and turns on the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves when the flow rate sensor detects a flow rate below the predetermined threshold.

[0016] In the stirring and heating apparatus of the sixth aspect, the control unit turns off the electromagnetic wave irradiation when the temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. This prevents overheating of the irradiated substance. Furthermore, the control unit turns on the electromagnetic wave irradiation when the flow rate sensor detects a flow rate below a predetermined threshold. This allows the convection flow rate within the container to be maintained, preventing the irradiated substance from precipitating at the bottom of the container. As a result, when the stirring and heating apparatus is used for compound synthesis, etc., uneven reaction due to overheating and precipitation can be prevented.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework is a method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the stirring and heating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand is accommodated in the accommodation space within the container as the irradiated substance, and the inorganic metal compound and the organic ligand are heated and stirred by electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generator, thereby synthesizing a metal-organic framework.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of the method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework, a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand is placed in a container of a stirring and heating device. The mixed solution is heated and stirred by electromagnetic waves irradiated from an electromagnetic wave generator, thereby synthesizing a metal-organic framework. In the process for synthesizing the metal-organic framework, the storage efficiency within the container of the stirring and heating device can be increased, and operating costs can be reduced.

[0019] As described above, the stirring and heating apparatus according to the present invention and the method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the same have the effect of simplifying the structure inside the container, thereby increasing the storage efficiency inside the container and reducing operating costs.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of the stirring and heating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a control unit included in the stirring and heating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of stirring and heating processing executed by the control unit of the stirring and heating device. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the stirring and heating device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the stirring and heating device according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an embodiment of a stirring and heating apparatus 10 according to the present invention and a method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the same will be described. The stirring and heating apparatus 10 according to the present invention accommodates a non-irradiated substance in a storage space within a container and heats the substance by irradiating it with electromagnetic waves. Furthermore, by varying the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves along the depth direction of the container, convection is generated in the storage space, and the irradiated substance is heated and stirred at the same time. The irradiated substance is not particularly limited as long as it is a fluid. Therefore, the irradiated substance may be a liquid or a gas.

[0022] In this embodiment, the irradiated material is a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound, such as a metal oxide or metal salt, composed of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zirconium (Zr), etc., and an organic ligand having a functional group capable of coordinating with a metal atom, such as a carboxyl group, an imidazole group, or an amide group. This mixed solution is heated and stirred in a container of a stirring / heating device to synthesize metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The stirring / heating device 10 is described in detail below. In Figures 1 to 4, the direction indicated by the arrow H, as appropriate, indicates the depth direction of the container, as described below.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified in the specification, each element is not limited to one and may be present in plural. Furthermore, in the drawings, substantially identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations in the specification will be omitted.

[0024] The stirring and heating device 10 is composed of a container 12 formed from an electromagnetic wave-transmitting material, an electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 that irradiates electromagnetic waves into a storage space 13 provided within the container 12, and a housing 40 that houses the container 12 and the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30.

[0025] (Container) The container 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, having a bottom wall 14 and a side wall 16 extending upright from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 14. The opening of the container 12 is open upward and can be closed with a lid 18. The container 12 and the lid 18 are made of an electromagnetically transparent material that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through. There are no particular limitations on the type of electromagnetically transparent material, but examples of applicable materials include glass and resin.

[0026] A temperature sensor 20 is provided inside the container 12. The temperature sensor 20 is a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the irradiated substance contained in the container 12. The temperature sensor 20 may be any known sensor, such as a contact-type temperature sensor such as a thermistor, thermocouple, or resistance temperature detector, or a non-contact-type temperature sensor such as a radiation temperature sensor or color temperature sensor.

[0027] The location of the temperature sensor 20 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of preventing overheating of the irradiated substance, it is preferable to detect the temperature at the position where the electromagnetic wave irradiation level is highest inside the container 12. From this viewpoint, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 20 is provided at the bottom inside the container 12.

[0028] A flow rate sensor 22 is provided inside the container 12. The flow rate sensor 22 is a sensor device for detecting the flow rate of the irradiated substance. As the flow rate sensor 22, any known type such as an ultrasonic type, an electromagnetic type, a thermal type, or an impeller type can be appropriately adopted.

[0029] Although the location of the flow velocity sensor 22 is not particularly limited, from the viewpoint of maintaining convection within the container and uniformly stirring the irradiated substance, it is preferable to detect the flow velocity at the position where the electromagnetic wave irradiation level is lowest within the container 12. From this viewpoint, in this embodiment, the flow velocity sensor 22 is provided at the upper part within the container 12.

[0030] (Electromagnetic Wave Generator) The electromagnetic wave generator 30 is formed in a columnar shape standing along the depth direction H (synonymous with the height direction) of the container 12, and is arranged in pair with the container 12 in between. The pair of electromagnetic wave generators 30 is constructed separately from the container 12, and is arranged so as to face the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 16 of the container 12.

[0031] The electromagnetic wave generator 30 is disposed facing the inside of the container 12 and heats the irradiated substance contained in the container 12 by a known heating method using microwave irradiation. That is, the electromagnetic wave generator 30 heats the irradiated substance by irradiating the irradiated substance with electromagnetic waves to cause molecular vibrations.

[0032] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the stirring and heating apparatus 10 taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. The housing 40 and lid 18 of the stirring and heating apparatus 10 are omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity. As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 has a first irradiation unit 31, a second irradiation unit 32, and a third irradiation unit 33 as multiple irradiation units arranged along the depth direction H of the container 12. The first irradiation unit 31, the second irradiation unit 32, and the third irradiation unit 33 are arranged in this order from the bottom to the top of the container 12.

[0033] The first irradiating unit 31 is disposed so as to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the bottom of the container 12. The irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves of the first irradiating unit 31 is set to "high," which is set to a higher level than the other irradiating units.

[0034] The second irradiating unit 32 is disposed so as to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the middle of the container in the depth direction H. The irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves of the first irradiating unit 31 is set to "medium," which is lower than that of the first irradiating unit 31 and higher than that of the third irradiating unit 33.

[0035] The third irradiating unit 33 is disposed so as to irradiate electromagnetic waves toward the middle of the container in the depth direction H. The irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves of the first irradiating unit 31 is set to "low," which is a lower level than the other irradiating units.

[0036] In this way, in the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 according to this embodiment, the multiple irradiating units are set to have different electromagnetic wave irradiation levels so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level decreases from the bottom to the top of the container 12.

[0037] Next, we will explain the convection that occurs within the container 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the outer periphery of the container 12 facing the electromagnetic wave generator 30 is an electromagnetic wave irradiation region X1. Furthermore, the central portion of the container that does not face the electromagnetic wave generator is an electromagnetic wave non-irradiation region X2.

[0038] The electromagnetic wave irradiation area X1 is divided into a first area X1a located at the bottom and outer periphery of the container 12, a second area X1b surrounding the first area X1a from the outside, and a third area X1c surrounding the second area X1a from the outside, depending on the electromagnetic wave irradiation level. The first area X1a faces the first irradiation unit 31 of the electromagnetic wave generator 30. The second area X1b faces the second irradiation unit 32 of the electromagnetic wave generator 30. The third area X1c faces the third irradiation unit 33 of the electromagnetic wave generator 30. Therefore, the temperature of the irradiated substance contained in the container 12 is highest in the first area X1a, where the electromagnetic wave irradiation level is highest, and gradually decreases toward the second area X1b and the third area X1c. Therefore, convection occurs near the outer periphery of the container 12, rising from the bottom to the top of the container 12 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 2 ).

[0039] The temperature of the irradiated substance is lowest in the center of the container 12, which is the non-irradiated region X2 of the electromagnetic waves. Therefore, in the center of the container 12, convection occurs in a downward direction from the top to the bottom of the container 12 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 2).

[0040] In this way, the irradiated substance contained in the container 12 is stirred by an upward convection F1 occurring near the outer periphery of the container 12 and a downward convection F2 occurring in the center of the container 12, causing the irradiated substance to circulate from the outer periphery to the center of the container 12.

[0041] The container 12 and the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 are housed inside a housing 40 made of a material that is opaque to electromagnetic waves. The material that is opaque to electromagnetic waves is not particularly limited, but as an example, a metal material can be used.

[0042] (Controller) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the controller 50 included in the stirring and heating apparatus 10. As shown in Figure 3, the stirring and heating apparatus 10 includes a controller 50 that controls ON / OFF of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the electromagnetic wave generator 30 based on the detected values ​​of the temperature sensor 20 and the flow velocity sensor 22. The controller 50 has, as its hardware configuration, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a storage 54, and an input / output unit 56. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 58 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0043] The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that reads a program from the ROM 52 or storage 54 and executes the program using the RAM 53 as a work area. The input / output unit 56 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The input / output unit 56 is connected to the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30, the temperature sensor 20, and the flow velocity sensor 22.

[0044] The control unit 50 executes various functions using the above hardware configuration. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 50 includes, as its functional components, a temperature measurement unit 51A, a flow velocity measurement unit 51B, and an electromagnetic wave control unit 51C. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 51 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 52 or storage 54.

[0045] The temperature measurement unit 51A has a function of calculating the temperature of the irradiated substance in the container 12 based on the detection value of the temperature sensor 20. The flow velocity measurement unit 51B has a function of calculating the flow velocity of the irradiated substance in the container 12 based on the detection value of the flow velocity sensor 22.

[0046] The electromagnetic wave control unit 51C has the function of controlling the ON / OFF of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 based on the temperature and flow rate of the irradiated substance calculated based on the functions of the temperature measuring unit 51A and the flow rate measuring unit 51B.

[0047] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the stirring and heating process executed by the control unit 50 based on the functions of the temperature measurement unit 51A, the flow rate measurement unit 51B, and the electromagnetic wave control unit 51C. Hereinafter, a method for synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using the stirring and heating apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0048] First, a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand is placed in the storage space 13 within the container 12 of the stirring / heating device 10 as the irradiated substance. The inorganic metal compound is composed of, for example, a metal oxide or metal salt made of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zirconium (Zr), etc. The organic ligand is composed of, for example, an organic ligand having a functional group capable of coordinating with a metal atom, such as a carboxyl group, an imidazole group, or an amide group.

[0049] A mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand can be synthesized with high efficiency by heating it at a predetermined reaction temperature for a certain period of time. In this embodiment, the mixed solution is heated by electromagnetic wave irradiation. Such electromagnetic wave irradiation is primarily used in organic synthesis as a means of locally heating the reaction solution to accelerate the reaction, but it can also be applied to the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

[0050] The control unit 50 performs the stirring and heating process, thereby controlling the ON / OFF of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generation unit 30. As a result, the mixed solution is heated to a predetermined reaction temperature and stirred at the same time, thereby synthesizing the metal-organic framework with high efficiency.

[0051] For example, when an operator turns on a switch (not shown) of the stirring and heating device 10, the stirring and heating process is executed by the control unit 50. The stirring and heating process is executed by the CPU 51 reading a predetermined program from the ROM 52 or the storage 54, expanding the program into the RAM 53, and executing the program.

[0052] The CPU 51 measures the temperature of the mixed solution using the function of the temperature measurement unit 51A (step S1) and determines whether the temperature of the mixed solution is below a predetermined threshold T1 (°C) (step S2). The threshold T1 is, for example, the temperature at which the reaction rate decreases due to overheating of the mixed solution. If the CPU 51 determines that the temperature of the mixed solution is below the predetermined threshold T1, it turns on the irradiation of electromagnetic waves using the function of the electromagnetic wave control unit 51C (step S3). Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0053] On the other hand, when the CPU 51 determines that the temperature of the mixed solution is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value T1, it turns off the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves to prevent the mixed solution from being overheated (step S4), thereby stopping the heating of the mixed solution.

[0054] Thereafter, the CPU 51 measures the flow rate of the mixed solution using the function of the flow rate measurement unit 51B (step S5) and determines whether the flow rate of the mixed solution is less than a predetermined threshold value R1 (step S6). The threshold value R1 is, for example, a flow rate at which the mixed solution may precipitate at the bottom of the container 12. If the CPU 51 determines that the flow rate of the mixed solution is less than the predetermined threshold value R1, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S5 and turns on the irradiation of electromagnetic waves to prevent precipitation of the mixed solution. On the other hand, if the CPU 51 determines that the temperature of the mixed solution is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value R1, the CPU 51 keeps the irradiation of electromagnetic waves OFF and proceeds to step S8.

[0055] After turning on the electromagnetic wave irradiation in step S5, the CPU 51 starts a timer (step S7), and then determines whether a preset heating time has elapsed in the following step S8. If the CPU 51 determines that the preset heating time has elapsed, it ends the stirring and heating process. On the other hand, if the CPU 51 determines that the preset heating time has not elapsed, it returns to the process of step S1.

[0056] (Operations and Effects) As described above, the stirring and heating apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a container 12 made of an electromagnetically transparent material and an electromagnetic wave generator 30 that irradiates electromagnetic waves into the storage space 13 provided within the container 12. The stirring and heating apparatus 10 heats the irradiated substance contained within the container 12 using electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generator 30. The electromagnetic wave generator 30 generates convection within the container 12 by varying the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves along the depth direction H of the container 12. This allows the irradiated substance to be stirred without installing a rotor such as an agitator blade within the container, simplifying the structure within the container 12. Furthermore, maintenance of the rotor is not required. As a result, the storage efficiency within the container 12 is improved and operating costs are reduced.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic wave generator 30 irradiates electromagnetic waves so that the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves is highest at the bottom of the container 12. This causes convection (see arrow F1 in FIG. 2 ) to occur in the container 12, rising from the bottom to the top of the storage space 13. As a result, stagnation of the irradiated substance at the bottom of the container 12 is suppressed, and the irradiated substance can be stirred efficiently.

[0058] The electromagnetic wave generating unit 30 has a plurality of irradiation units (first irradiation unit 31, second irradiation unit 32, third irradiation unit 33) arranged along the depth direction H of the container 12. The plurality of irradiation units are set to have different electromagnetic wave irradiation levels so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level decreases from the bottom to the top of the container 12. This allows convection currents rising from the bottom to the top of the storage space 13 within the container 12 to reach the top of the container 12. As a result, stagnation of the irradiated substance in the upper part of the container 12 is suppressed, and the irradiated substance can be stirred efficiently.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of electromagnetic wave generators 30 are arranged on either side of the container 12. This allows the irradiated substance in the container 12 to be heated from both outside sides of the container 12. As a result, bias in convection within the container 12 is suppressed, allowing the irradiated substance to be stirred efficiently.

[0060] In this embodiment, an electromagnetic wave irradiation region X1 is set along the outer periphery of the container 12, and an electromagnetic wave non-irradiation region X2 is set in the center of the container. This allows for the generation of convection that circulates from the outer periphery toward the center within the container 12 (see arrows F1 and F2 in FIG. 2). As a result, convection is generated throughout the entire container 12, allowing the irradiated substance to be efficiently stirred.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 50 turns off the electromagnetic wave irradiation when the temperature sensor 20 detects a temperature equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold T1. This prevents overheating of the irradiated material. Furthermore, the control unit 50 turns on the electromagnetic wave irradiation when the flow rate sensor 22 detects a flow rate less than a predetermined threshold R1. This allows the convective flow rate within the container 12 to be maintained, preventing the irradiated material from precipitating at the bottom of the container 12. As a result, when using a stirring / heating device for compound synthesis, etc., reaction irregularities due to overheating and precipitation can be suppressed. Specifically, for example, by storing a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand in the container 12 and heating and stirring it, a metal-organic framework can be synthesized while preventing reaction irregularities due to overheating and precipitation. Furthermore, by simplifying the structure within the container 12, the storage efficiency within the container can be improved and operating costs can be reduced during the process of synthesizing the metal-organic framework.

[0062] Although the stirring and heating device according to this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. Modifications of this embodiment are listed below. Each modification basically follows the configuration of the stirring and heating device according to the above embodiment, and therefore can achieve the same functions and effects.

[0063] (First Modification) It is not essential that a pair of electromagnetic wave generators 30 are arranged with the container 12 sandwiched between them, as in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 6A, the container 12 may be housed inside a cylindrically formed electromagnetic wave generator 60. That is, the electromagnetic wave generators 30 may be arranged so as to face the entire outer periphery of the side wall of the container 12. The other structure of the electromagnetic wave generator 60 is the same as the structure of the electromagnetic wave generator 30 in the above embodiment.

[0064] 6B , a configuration may be adopted in which a ring-shaped electromagnetic wave generating unit 70 is disposed facing the outer periphery of the bottom wall 14 of the container 12. In this case, although not shown, a plurality of ring-shaped irradiating units may be disposed concentrically, and the electromagnetic wave irradiation level may be set to decrease from the outer side toward the inner side in the radial direction of the electromagnetic wave generating unit 70.

[0065] (Third Modification) In the above embodiment, the container 12 and the electromagnetic wave generator 30 are configured as separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited to this. The container 12 and the electromagnetic wave generator 30 may be configured as an integrated unit. For example, as shown in Fig. 6C, the electromagnetic wave generator 30 may be configured to be provided inside the side wall 16 of the container 12. Furthermore, although not shown, the electromagnetic wave generator 30 may be configured to be provided inside the bottom wall 14 of the container 12.

[0066] In the above embodiment, an example in which the stirring and heating apparatus 10 is used for synthesizing a metal-organic framework has been described, but it goes without saying that the stirring and heating apparatus 10 can also be used for stirring and heating other fluids. For example, the stirring and heating apparatus 10 can be used for electromagnetic stirring in a metal casting process. The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-008926 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A stirring and heating device comprising: a container formed from an electromagnetic wave transparent material; and an electromagnetic wave generating unit disposed facing the inside of the container and configured to heat an irradiated substance contained in a storage space provided within the container by irradiating electromagnetic waves into the storage space, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating unit is configured to vary the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves in the depth direction of the container, thereby generating convection within the container and stirring the irradiated substance.

2. The stirring and heating device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating unit irradiates electromagnetic waves so that the irradiation level of the electromagnetic waves is highest at the bottom of the container.

3. The stirring and heating device of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating unit has a plurality of irradiation units arranged along the depth direction of the container, and the plurality of irradiation units are set to have different electromagnetic wave irradiation levels so that the electromagnetic wave irradiation level decreases from the bottom to the top of the container.

4. The stirring and heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electromagnetic wave generating units are arranged in pairs with the container sandwiched between them.

5. A stirring and heating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container has an electromagnetic wave irradiation area set along or near the outer periphery of the container, and a central area of the container set as a non-irradiation area of the electromagnetic waves.

6. A stirring and heating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the irradiated substance within the container; a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of the irradiated substance within the container; and a control unit that controls the ON / OFF of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generating unit based on the detection values of the temperature sensor and the flow rate sensor, wherein the control unit turns OFF the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves when the temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, and turns ON the irradiation of the electromagnetic waves when the flow rate sensor detects a flow rate below the predetermined threshold.

7. A method for synthesizing a metal-organic framework using the stirring and heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising accommodating a mixed solution containing an inorganic metal compound and an organic ligand as the irradiated substance in the accommodation space within the container, and heating and stirring the inorganic metal compound and the organic ligand by electromagnetic waves irradiated from the electromagnetic wave generating unit, thereby synthesizing a metal-organic framework.

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