Amino Functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles for seeding MOF-5

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Here we present a new type of approach for the mass production of metallorganic frameworks (MOFs). In particular, a heterogeneous process for MOF-5 growth involving amino functionalized silica nanoparticles is presented. The proposed sol-gel approach provides a promising route toward the large-scale production of colloidal MOFs by leveraging the enormous surface areas offered by nano-sized seeds used as nucleating agents. The synthesis of the ceramic seeds (SiO2 NPs) is performed at room temperature and considerable volumes of MOF crystals can be produced in 1/10 of the time required for the conventional solvothermal method. The growth of the crystals has been observed with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the crystal quality has been verified using X-ray powder diffraction.