TY - JOUR
T1 - A new method to position and functionalize metal-organic framework crystals
AU - Falcaro, Paolo
AU - Hill, Anita J.
AU - Nairn, Kate M.
AU - Jasieniak, Jacek
AU - Mardel, James I.
AU - Bastow, Timothy J.
AU - Mayo, Sheridan C.
AU - Gimona, Michele
AU - Gomez, Daniel
AU - Whitfield, Harold J.
AU - Ricco, Raffaele
AU - Patelli, Alessandro
AU - Marmiroli, Benedetta
AU - Amenitsch, Heinz
AU - Colson, Tobias
AU - Villanova, Laura
AU - Buso, Dario
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - With controlled nanometre-sized pores and surface areas of thousands of square metres per gram, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) may have an integral role in future catalysis, filtration and sensing applications. In general, for MOF-based device fabrication, well-organized or patterned MOF growth is required, and thus conventional synthetic routes are not suitable. Moreover, to expand their applicability, the introduction of additional functionality into MOFs is desirable. Here, we explore the use of nanostructured poly-hydrate zinc phosphate (α-hopeite) microparticles as nucleation seeds for MOFs that simultaneously address all these issues. Affording spatial control of nucleation and significantly accelerating MOF growth, these α-hopeite microparticles are found to act as nucleation agents both in solution and on solid surfaces. In addition, the introduction of functional nanoparticles (metallic, semiconducting, polymeric) into these nucleating seeds translates directly to the fabrication of functional MOFs suitable for molecular size-selective applications.
AB - With controlled nanometre-sized pores and surface areas of thousands of square metres per gram, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) may have an integral role in future catalysis, filtration and sensing applications. In general, for MOF-based device fabrication, well-organized or patterned MOF growth is required, and thus conventional synthetic routes are not suitable. Moreover, to expand their applicability, the introduction of additional functionality into MOFs is desirable. Here, we explore the use of nanostructured poly-hydrate zinc phosphate (α-hopeite) microparticles as nucleation seeds for MOFs that simultaneously address all these issues. Affording spatial control of nucleation and significantly accelerating MOF growth, these α-hopeite microparticles are found to act as nucleation agents both in solution and on solid surfaces. In addition, the introduction of functional nanoparticles (metallic, semiconducting, polymeric) into these nucleating seeds translates directly to the fabrication of functional MOFs suitable for molecular size-selective applications.
U2 - 10.1038/ncomms1234
DO - 10.1038/ncomms1234
M3 - Article
VL - 2
SP - 1
EP - 8
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
M1 - 237
ER -