Facially- controllable synthesis of zeolitic imidezolate framework-8 nanocrystal and its colloidal stability in phosphate buffered saline

ZIF-8, one kind of representative of metal-organic frameworks, has received much attention in various applications, due to its exceptional properties. Herein we reported the facially- controllable synthesis and post-modification of ZIF-8 nanocrystals with good colloidal stability. The research results demonstrated that the size of ZIF-8 nanocrystals synthesized in water using ZnI2 as zinc source could be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of ligand (Hmim) to metal ion (Zn2+). Additionally, the zinc salts and solvents played an important role in controlling the size and morphology of ZIF-8 nanocrystals. Furthermore, the ZIF-8 nanocrystals modified with PAA showed good colloidal stability in PBS.