In-situ IR monitoring to probe the formation of structural defects in Zr-fumarate metal-organic framework (MOF)

In this work, in-situ IR monitoring technique was employed to monitor the crystallization process of Zrfumarate (Zr-fum) MOF in both H2O- and DMF-based systems. Wherein, the acid modulator (HCOOH) was only observed to be consumed in the DMF-based synthesis. Further solid-state NMR ex-situ results suggested the participations of HCOOH in the Zr-fum MOF structure formation, resulting in the possibility of formation of structural defects. This observation will further help to understand the formation of MOF structural defects from different solvent systems. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.