Locally controlled MOF growth on functionalized carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly versatile materials because of their tunable properties. However, the typically poor electrical conductivity of MOFs presents challenges for their integration into electrical devices. By adding carbon nanotubes to MOF synthesis, a highly intergrown material with increased conductivity and chemiresistive sensing properties can be obtained. Here, we present a patterning technique to control MOF growth on predefined areas of one particular carbon nanotube. We found that electron beam pretreatment of -COOH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes inhibits the growth of UiO-66 MOF on these multi-walled carbon nanotubes. By irradiating individual multi-walled carbon nanotubes, we show that MOF growth can be inhibited in predefined tube areas, creating MOF-free spaces on the nanotube. In this way, our method shows a possibility to pattern MOF growth on individual nanotubes.