Fast Synthesis of MOF-5 Microcrystals Using Sol-Gel SiO2 Nanoparticles

The work reports on the synthesis of an archetypal metal organic framework (MOF-5) microcrystals with a narrow size distribution using SiO2 nanoparticles with tailored surface chemistry as nucleating agents. The nanoparticles boost the reaction rate by up to an order of magnitude compared to the conventional MOF-5 solvothermal synthesis and can be successfully used as nucleation seeds for the selective growth of MOF-5 on specific substrates. These results are important fundamental advances toward the controlled scale-up of MOF synthesis and directed MOF growth on suitable supports.