Site-specific anisotropic assembly of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline metal-organic framework

As an important branch of anisotropic nanohybrids (ANHs) with multiple surfaces and functions, the porous ANHs (p-ANHs) have attracted extensive attentions because of the unique characteristics of high surface area, tunable pore structures and controllable framework compositions, etc. However, due to the large surface-chemistry and lattice mismatches between the crystalline and amorphous porous nanomaterials, the site-specific anisotropic assembly of amorphous subunits on crystalline host is challenging. Here, we report a selective occupation strategy to achieve site-specific anisotropic growth of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF). The amorphous polydopamine (mPDA) building blocks can be controllably grown on the {100} (type 1) or {110} (type 2) facets of crystalline ZIF-8 to form the binary super-structured p-ANHs. Based on the secondary epitaxial growth of tertiary MOF building blocks on type 1 and 2 nanostructures, the ternary p-ANHs with controllable compositions and architectures are also rationally synthesized (type 3 and 4). These intricate and unprecedented superstructures provide a good platform for the construction of nanocomposites with multiple functionalities and understanding of the structure-property-function relationships. Porous anisotropic nanohybrids have attracted attention because of their unique properties including high surface area, tunable pore structures and controllable compositions. Here, authors report a selective occupation strategy to achieve site-specific anisotropic growth of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline MOFs.

Automated summary

Porous anisotropic nanohybrids have attracted attention because of their unique properties including high surface area, tunable pore structures, and controllable compositions. Here, authors report a selective occupation strategy to achieve site-specific anisotropic growth of amorphous mesoporous subunits on crystalline MOFs.