Hierarchical Metal-Organic Framework Films with Controllable Meso/Macroporosity

The structuring of the metal-organic framework material ZIF-8 as films and membranes through the vapor-phase conversion of ZnO fractal nanoparticle networks is reported. The extrinsic porosity of the resulting materials can be tuned from 4% to 66%, and the film thickness can be controlled from 80 nm to 0.23 mm, for areas >100 cm(2). Freestanding and pure metal-organic frameworks (MOF) membranes prepared this way are showcased as separators that minimize capacity fading in model Li-S batteries.