Templated interfacial synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) nano- and micro-structures with precisely controlled shapes and sizes

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are an emerging class of microporous materials with promising applications. MOF nanocrystals, and their assembled super-structures, can display unique properties and reactivities when compared with their bulk analogues. MOF nanostructures of 0-D, 2-D, and 3-D dimensions can be routinely obtained by controlling reaction conditions and ligand additives, while formation of 1-D MOF nanocrystals (nanowires and nanorods) and super-structures has been relatively rare. We report here a facile templated interfacial synthesis methodology for the preparation of a series of 1-D MOF nano- and micro-structures with precisely controlled shapes and sizes. Specifically, by applying track-etched polycarbonate (PCTE) membranes as the templates and at the oil/water interface, we rapidly and reproducibly synthesize zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and ZIF-67 nano- and micro structures of sizes ranging from 10 nm to 20 μm. We also identify a size confinement effect on MOF crystal growth, which leads to single crystals under the most restricted conditions and inter-grown polycrystals at larger template pore sizes, as well as surface directing effects that influence the crystallographic preferred orientation. Our findings provide a potentially generalizable method for controlling the size, morphology, and crystal orientations of MOF nanomaterials, as well as offering fundamental understanding into MOF crystal growth mechanisms.

Development of Amine-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks Hollow Fiber Mixed Matrix Membranes for CO2 and CH4 Separation: A Review

“…There are a variety of MOFs constructed from diverse materials, and UiO-66 [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], MIL-53 [ 3 , 16 , 38 , 39 ], and ZIFs [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] are the type of MOFs which are commonly reported in the literature due to their exceptional properties which includes high porosity [ 45 ], large surface area, and variable pore size and apertures [ 46 ], fine tunable chemistry [ 25 ], and good thermo-chemical stability [ 47 , 48 ]. MOFs can also be synthesized in different sizes and dimensions from 0-D to three-dimensional by manipulating the ligands additives used and the reaction conditions [ 27 ].…”

“…Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a satisfactory alternative to improve the permeation properties of membranes because of its large surface area, high porosity, adsorption capacity, and good compatibility [ 15 ]. This has led to the utilization of MOFs in numerous applications which include gas/liquid separation, catalysts, medicine, and electronics [ 27 ]. However, pure MOF film membranes are highly brittle and difficult to synthesize [ 28 ].…”

Advances in Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for Foodborne Pathogen Detection

“…Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a rapidly emerging new class of microporous materials with a wide range of promising applications [146,147]. They basically represent 2D or 3D porous materials assembled using metal cation salts or clusters bridged with polydentate organic ligands with coordination type connections, though 0D and 1D nanostructures are being synthesized also [148]. They have a very high surface area, high pore volume, high porosity and surface functionality and an easily tunable structure.…”

Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Zn-Organic Framework Down-Regulates Proliferation and Up-Regulates Apoptosis and DNA Damage in Colon and Lung Cancer Cell Lines

“…MOF porosity may be adjusted using a variety of techniques, including ex situ and in situ operations. Different methodologies may be used to create MOFs with hierarchical porous architectures [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Water remediation [ 40 ], adsorption [ 41 ], pollutant removal [ 42 ], catalysis [ 43 ], biocatalysis [ 44 ], nanomedicine [ 45 ], biosensors [ 46 ], energy source creation [ 47 ], fuel cells [ 48 ], and environmental-based applications [ 49 ] have all used MOFs.…”