In situ static and dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy study on the crystallization of the dense zinc imidazolate framework ZIF-zni

The kinetics and mechanism of crystallization of the dense zinc imidazolate framework with zni topology, from comparatively dilute methanol solutions containing Zn(NO3)center dot 6H(2)O and imidazole with variation of the zinc-to-imidazole ratio, were followed in situ by time-resolved static and dynamic light scattering. The light scattering data revealed that metastable primary particles of about 100 nm in diameter form rapidly upon mixing the component solutions. After a lag time that is dependent on the imidazole concentration, the primary particles aggregate into secondary particles by a monomer addition mechanism with the primary particles as the monomers. Complementary scanning electron microscopy revealed that further evolution of the secondary particles is a complex process involving polycrystalline intermediates, the non-spherical morphologies of which depend on the initial zinc-to-imidazole ratio. Time and location of the first appearance of crystalline order could so far not be established. The pure-phase ZIF-zni crystals obtained after 240 min are twins. The aspect ratio of the tetragonal crystals can be controlled via the zinc-to-imidazole ratio.