Mechanical properties of zeolitic metal-organic frameworks: mechanically flexible topologies and stabilization against structural collapse

We report on the elastic moduli of two large pore zeolitic metalorganic frameworks (rho-and sod-ZMOF). Their extremely low (1.93 GPa), and intermediate (5.57 GPa) moduli are compared with those of zeolites of identical topologies, finding similarities relative to frameworks in the same family. Whilst collapse upon ball-milling occurs quickly, common solvents can be used to stabilise the structure, a facile method which may be applicable to other porous hybrid frameworks.