Subscribe to Newsletter
Fields & Applications Materials, Technology, Clinical

Bringing MOFs Down to Size

MOFs are porous crystalline materials composed of metal ions and organic molecules. They have excited researchers because of their extremely large surface-areas – the largest of any known material – and the flexibility with which their chemical functionality can be tuned. They are also very robust, with high mechanical and thermal stabilities. However, the current synthesis pathways used to obtain MOFs are incompatible with nanofabrication, meaning they cannot be designed and manufactured at the nanoscale. 

Researchers from the Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis at the University of Leuven set out to develop a method of synthesizing MOFs that aligns with the way nanoscale devices are manufactured (1). “Vapor phase deposition methods are the cornerstone of nanofabrication,” says Rob Ameloot, lead author of the study. “We therefore set out to synthesize a crystalline and porous MOF using vaporized precursors.”

The researchers were able to synthesize the MOFs in a two-step process. “In the first step we rely on an established technology: atomic layer deposition of metal oxides,” says Ameloot. “In the second step, we react these sacrificial metal oxide films with a vaporized MOF ligand,” he says. “The trick is to get the conditions at the solid-vapor interface just right to enable the formation of a porous and crystalline material, a feat that thus far required the presence of a solvent.” 

Through the development of a synthesis method compatible with nanofabrication, the researchers have opened the door to a wide range of industrial applications – including some within analytical science. “We are very enthusiastic about applying MOFs to gas sensors, and we’re working on it as we speak,” says Ameloot. “The perfectly uniform nanometer-sized pockets in the MOF materials are ideal to capture small molecules; important examples include carbon dioxide, for integration in smart AC, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and so on,” he adds. “The latter group of compounds are a major part of indoor and industrial air pollution, and it is becoming increasingly interesting to detect changes in the concentration of these marker molecules in breath, for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer.”

Ameloot and his colleagues believe that MOF-based sensors could have a major impact on small molecule detection and monitoring, especially for applications that need sub-ppm level sensitivity.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Analytical Scientist and its sponsors.
Stay up to date with our other newsletters and sponsors information, tailored specifically to the fields you are interested in

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. I Stassen et al., “Chemical vapour deposition of zeolitic imidazolate framework thin films”, Nature Materials [EPUB ahead of print] (2015).
About the Author
James Strachan

Over the course of my Biomedical Sciences degree it dawned on me that my goal of becoming a scientist didn’t quite mesh with my lack of affinity for lab work. Thinking on my decision to pursue biology rather than English at age 15 – despite an aptitude for the latter – I realized that science writing was a way to combine what I loved with what I was good at.

From there I set out to gather as much freelancing experience as I could, spending 2 years developing scientific content for International Innovation, before completing an MSc in Science Communication. After gaining invaluable experience in supporting the communications efforts of CERN and IN-PART, I joined Texere – where I am focused on producing consistently engaging, cutting-edge and innovative content for our specialist audiences around the world.

 

Register to The Analytical Scientist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Analytical Scientist magazine

Register