In our recent findings, we explored the green synthesis of Zn-MOF-74 using in situ infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-IR) and high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD). In this work, we gained a deep understanding of a method for synthesizing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that is both fast and environmentally friendly.
MOFs are state-of-the-art porous materials used in various applications, including gas storage, catalysis, and sensing. Traditional MOF synthesis often involves toxic solvents and high temperatures. The synthesis method studied in our work uses aqueous solutions at ambient temperature, thus minimizing environmental impact.
We studied the synthesis of Zn-MOF-74, also known as CPO-27-Zn, using zinc acetate and zinc perchlorate as precursors. We found that zinc perchlorate accelerated the synthesis process by five times compared to zinc acetate. Using in situ ATR-IR and XRD techniques, we monitored the nucleation and growth processes of MOF material in real-time, establishing a correlation between the data produced independently by both techniques. We also discovered that adjusting the synthesis temperature and precursor type allows for control of particle size and shape.
This new method reduces the use of harmful chemicals and supports sustainable chemistry practices. It allows for the rapid production of high-quality MOFs at room temperature, which is beneficial for industrial applications, particularly in gas storage and separation technologies.
The insights gained in this work will guide the development of new protocols, enhancing the scalability and application of MOFs in various industries, as well as promoting more sustainable industrial practices.
For more information, the full study can be accessed in here.