Controlling the alignment of 1D nanochannel arrays in oriented metal-organic framework films for host-guest materials design

Kenji Okada*, Miharu Nakanishi, Ken Ikigaki, Yasuaki Tokudome, Paolo Falcaro, Christian J. Doonan, Masahide Takahashi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Controlling the direction of molecular-scale pores enables the accommodation of guest molecular-scale species with alignment in the desired direction, allowing for the development of high-performance mechanical, thermal, electronic, photonic and biomedical organic devices (host-guest approach). Regularly ordered 1D nanochannels of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been demonstrated as superior hosts for aligning functional molecules and polymers. However, controlling the orientation of MOF films with 1D nanochannels at commercially relevant scales remains a significant challenge. Here, we report the fabrication of macroscopically oriented films of Cu-based pillar-layered MOFs having regularly ordered 1D nanochannels. The direction of 1D nanochannels is controllable by optimizing the crystal growth process; 1D nanochannels align either perpendicular or parallel to substrates, offering molecular-scale pore arrays for a macroscopic alignment of functional guest molecules in the desired direction. Due to the fundamental interest and widespread technological importance of controlling the alignment of functional molecules and polymers in a particular direction, orientation-controllable MOF films will open up the possibility of realising the potential of MOFs in advanced technologies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8005-8012
Number of pages8
JournalChemical Science
Volume11
Issue number30
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Aug 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)

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