Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/211869

Title

Complete characterization of alpha-hopeite microparticles: an ideal nucleation seed for metal organic frameworks

Author(s)

Buso, Dario;  Hill, Anita J.;  Colson, Tobias;  Whitfield, Harold J.;  Patelli, Alessandro;  Scopece, Paolo;  Doherty, Cara M.;  Falcaro, Paolo

Abstract

This work reports on the structural and microstructural characterization of a new class of α-hopeite microparticles, which has recently been discovered as ideal seeding agents for the formation and functionalization of metal organic framework (MOF-5) crystals. The particles have been named desert rose microparticles (DRMs), as their morphology closely resembles that of the famous gypsum and Barite mineral. The DRMs form directly inside the MOF-5 precursor solution when a block copolymer surfactant, Pluronic F-127, is added in specific amounts. The particles formation is remarkably fast, and particles are observed to form within the first minute of reaction. The DRMs formation and growth has been monitored along a 3 h synthesis, until the first nuclei of MOF-5 start to appear on their surface. Electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, electron diffraction, FTIR, FT-Raman, and BET give an all-around description of the chemical and morphological features that give the DRMs their remarkable MOF-seeding capacity.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences. Centre for Micro-Photonics

Source

Crystal Growth and Design, Vol. 11, no. 12 (Dec 2011), pp. 5268-5274

Publication year

2011

FOR Code(s)

0302 Inorganic Chemistry;  0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural);  0912 Materials Engineering

Keyword(s)

Alpha-hopeite microparticles;  Desert rose microparticles;  DRMs;  Metal organic framework crystals;  Microstructural characterisation;  MOF-5;  Structural characterisation

Publisher

American Chemical Society

ISSN

1528-7483

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cg200717a

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 American Chemical Society.

Research Projects

Tailoring the optical properties of matter with Sol-Gel: innovative optical materials for 3D photonic crystals with complete photonic band-gap, Australian Research Council grant number DP0988106

Peer reviewed