The Problem:
Traditional synthesis of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) requires the use of hazardous organic solvents, high pressure, and heat or microwaves. This process, however, lacks a higher degree of control and the MOF crystals that are synthesized appear in a bulk state which is less desirable. Surfactants can be introduced to reduce the size of MOF crystals, but such additives are problematic to eliminate. Additionally, this process takes over twenty minutes to complete.
The Solution:
The discovered technology is a novel method to synthesizing Metal-Organic Frameworks. The method uses water as the reaction medium instead of hazardous organic solvents, called green synthesis, which decreases the cost and minimizes the adverse effect on the environment. This method is ultrafast (less than 5 minutes to crystalize) and has a relatively high yield of nanosized MOFs compared with other existing fabrication techniques. This method can be performed in absence of hazardous solvents in aqueous systems at room temperature without any energy enquiry while requiring only a simple purification procedure.
Metal-Organic Framework Synthesis
Benefits:
• Environmentally friendly.
• Extremely quick synthesis process (five minutes).
• Cost efficient.
• Can be synthesized at room temperature.
• Many broad applications.
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