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Electric Field‐Controlled Synthesis and Characterisation of Single Metal–Organic‐Framework (MOF) Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Morris Peter D.,
McPherson Ian J.,
Edwards Martin A.,
Kashtiban Reza J.,
Walton Richard I.,
Unwin Patrick R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202007146
Subject(s) - nanoparticle , metal organic framework , nanotechnology , materials science , nanopore , nanoscopic scale , nanocrystal , chemistry , organic chemistry , adsorption
Achieving control over the size distribution of metal–organic‐framework (MOF) nanoparticles is key to biomedical applications and seeding techniques. Electrochemical control over the nanoparticle synthesis of the MOF, HKUST‐1, is achieved using a nanopipette injection method to locally mix Cu 2+ salt precursor and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (BTC 3− ) ligand reagents, to form MOF nanocrystals, and collect and characterise them on a TEM grid. In situ analysis of the size and translocation frequency of HKUST‐1 nanoparticles is demonstrated, using the nanopipette to detect resistive pulses as nanoparticles form. Complementary modelling of mass transport in the electric field, enables particle size to be estimated and explains the feasibility of particular reaction conditions, including inhibitory effects of excess BTC 3− . These new methods should be applicable to a variety of MOFs, and scaling up synthesis possible via arrays of nanoscale reaction centres, for example using nanopore membranes.