Synthesis of metal-organic framework particles and thin films via nanoscopic metal oxide precursors

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a diverse family of hybrid inorganic-organic crystalline solids synthesized by assembling secondary building units (SBUs) and organic ligands into a periodic and porous framework. Microporous MOF materials, due to their high permeability and size selectivity, have attracted tremendous interest in gas storage and separation, large molecule adsorption, catalysis, and sensing. Despite the significant fabrication challenges, nanosized MOF particles can be fabricated to display enhanced gas storage and separation abilities in comparison to the parent MOF bulk counterparts under special synthesis conditions. So far, the majority of MOF nanocrystals have been derived from the controlled nucleation and growth of molecular precursors in homogeneous solutions. However, synthesis protocols based on nucleation and growth from dilute solution precursors are difficult to adapt to the synthesis of other nanoscopic materials, such as thin film and mixed-matrix membranes, which limits the practical applications of MOFs. This article discusses the current status of synthetic methods that have been utilized to fabricate MOF-based nanoscopic materials and ultrathin membranes from nanoscopic metal oxide precursors.