Controlled Nucleation and Controlled Growth for Size Predicable Synthesis of Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs): A General and Scalable Approach

Abstract

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) are promising porous nanomaterials for diverse applications, such as catalysis, imaging, functional membranes, and drug delivery. At the nanoscale, the size of materials is critical for their properties and utility. Herein, a straightforward and convenient strategy is developed for size precisely controlled synthesis of nanoMOFs. Unlike other approaches, this strategy can directly give nanoMOFs of predicable sizes within a wide range without the time consuming trial-and-error process and without the addition of additives. In this approach, the preciseness of size control is ensured by the separated and controlled nucleation and growth. The size controlled synthesis of 9 kinds of most widely studied nanoMOFs confirms the versatility of this strategy. More importantly, this approach can be utilized for scale-up synthesis of nanoMOFs with the same precise size control.

Self‐Mineralized Photothermal Bacteria Hybridizing with Mitochondria‐Targeted Metal–Organic Frameworks for Augmenting Photothermal Tumor Therapy

“…For this purpose, ZIF‐90 was first synthesized by a controlled nucleation and growth method that was developed in our group 27. Photosensitizer MB, which may disrupt mitochondrial redox homeostasis and cause mitochondrial dysfunction by producing highly oxidative 1 O 2 under light illumination, was encapsulated into ZIF‐90 (Scheme 1A).…”

“…ZIF‐90 was synthesized through a controlled nucleation and growth mechanism according to published literature in our group 27. Briefly, Zn(OAC) 2 DMF solution (50 mL, 10 m m ) and 2‐ICA DMF solution (50 mL, 20 m m ) were simultaneously added to an initial 2‐ICA DMF solution (50 mL, 20 m m ) with dropping speed of 30 mL h −1 at 30 °C.…”

Multi‐Spectroscopic Interrogation of the Spatial Linker Distribution in Defect‐Engineered Metal–Organic Framework Crystals: The [Cu3(btc)2−x(cydc)x] Showcase

“…In this case, following LaMer's model, [36] ah igher solubility of the CYDC linker would drive the system to af aster supersaturation and hence to overcoming the activation energy for the nucleationb urst sooner than in the case of BTC. Thus, amixture containing CYDC as linker would initially yield more nuclei leading to smaller DEMOFc rystallites as a result.R ecent examples have shown that by controlling the supersaturation of Cu 2 + and BTC one can, indeed, fine-tune the crystallite size [37] or the film thickness. [38] Small-angle X-ray scattering to probe the pore structure with increasing defect linker concentration…”

Catalytically Selective Chemotherapy from Tumor‐Metabolic Generated Lactic Acid

“…The Ce‐BTC MOFs, prepared via a flowing process (Figure S1, Supporting Information), showed a rod‐like morphology with a diameter of ≈40 nm and a length in the range of hundreds of nanometers ( Figure a). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of Ce‐BTC MOFs (Figure b) .…”