Enhancement of the structure stability of MOF-5 confined to multiwalled carbon nanotubes

In this contribution, we present a study on the synthesis and structure stability of metal-organic framework 5 [Zn(4)O(bdc)(3); bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarbocylate] (MOF-5) confined to the hollow space of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). MOF-5, apart from its significant potential for applications such as novel storage media for natural gases and hydrogen, suffers from very high structural instability when exposed to atmospheric moisture. Additionally, the standard analysis of this structure by means of transmission electron microscope (e.g. 200 kV acceleration voltage) is difficult due to its rapid decomposition upon the exposure to the electron beam. All these difficulties may be overcome when MOF-5 is confined within the core of an MWCNT. [GRAPHICS] Scheme representing the stability of MOF-5 confined in MWCNT cavity even upon exposure to electron beam irradiation or atmospheric moisture. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim