Self-assembly of highly crystalline two-dimensional MOF sheets on liquid surfaces

The formation process of the highly crystalline MOF nanosheet, NAFS-1 at the liquid surface was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy and synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray diffraction - self-assembly of the molecular building metalloporphyrin units and the metal ion joints occurs through a coordination reaction at the air/liquid interface without the necessity of pressing the surface.