Solvent Choice in Metal-Organic Framework Linker Exchange Permits Microstructural Control

Linker exchange is a widely applied, robust technique for elaboration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) post-synthesis. The observation of core-shell microstructures under certain conditions was hypothesized to arise from diffusion rates into the MOF that are slower than linker exchange. Here the relative contributions of these processes are manipulated through solvent choice in order to modulate shell thickness and exchange extent. The findings allow tailoring MOF microstructure to application.