High-Yield Synthesis of ZIF-8 Nanoparticles Using Stoichiometric Reactants in a Jet-Mixing Reactor

Synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Using Glycerol Carbonate

In this study, we show that glycerol carbonate (GlyC), a bio-based derivative of glycerol, can be used as a suitable green solvent for the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In particular, a zinc-based zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was synthesized by exploring several different experimental conditions (in terms of temperature, reaction time, and reactants' concentrations) to find that the yield of the reaction and the quality of the products, measured in terms of crystallinity, surface area, and porosity, were in line with those obtained in the most commonly (non-green) used solvents. GlyC was also found to be reusable for several cycles, maintaining the same original quality as a solvent for the synthesis. Finally, some indicators for the assessment of the greenness of a process (E-factor and PMI) revealed a milder environmental impact of GlyC with respect to other solvents.

Microfluidic Synthesis of a Bioactive Metal-Organic Framework for Glucose-Responsive Insulin Delivery

In the current study, we report the microfluidic synthesis of a metal-organic framework (MOF) for insulin delivery based on the stimulus response of glucose. Insulin- and gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was synthesized using a continuous-flow, microfluidic mixing system via a single-step process. Glucose oxidase mimicking the activity of AuNPs was utilized for oxidizing glucose molecules that entered the porous ZIF-8. The AuNPs oxidized glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide inside the MOF (Ins-AuNP-ZIF-8). The resulting acidic pH led to the disruption of ZIF-8 and released insulin. Thus, the presence of glucose molecules provided a stimulus for insulin release. The bioactive MOFs were characterized for the presence of functional groups, morphology, crystallinity, size, and elemental confirmation. The presence of fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate-labeled insulin in the composite was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The loading of insulin per unit weight of the MOF, determined by size-exclusion-high-performance liquid chromatography, was 77 and 88% in the batch and microfluidic processes, respectively. Drug release studies confirmed the response of the MOFs to glucose, which triggered insulin release. The synthesis process did not affect the characteristics and application of ZIF-8 and Ins-AuNP-ZIF-8. This study involving the facile synthesis of bioactive MOFs offers a sustainable strategy to design stimulus-responsive drug delivery systems and could be exploited for biosensing applications.

Synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 and gold nanoparticles in a sustained out-of-equilibrium state

The design and synthesis of crystalline materials are challenging due to the proper control over the size and polydispersity of the samples, which determine their physical and chemical properties and thus applicability. Metal − organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials in many applications due to their unique structure. MOFs have been predominantly synthesized by bulk methods, where the concentration of the reagents gradually decreased, which affected the further nucleation and crystal growth. Here we show an out-of-equilibrium method for the generation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals, where the non-equilibrium crystal growth is maintained by a continuous two-side feed of the reagents in a hydrogel matrix. The size and the polydispersity of the crystals are controlled by the fixed and antagonistic constant mass fluxes of the reagents and by the reaction time. We also present that our approach can be extended to synthesize gold nanoparticles in a redox process.

Continuous-Flow Synthesis of ZIF-8 Biocomposites with Tunable Particle Size

Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) biocomposites show the capacity to protect and deliver biotherapeutics. To date, the progress in this research area is based on laboratory batch methods. Now, the first continuous flow synthetic method is presented for the encapsulation of a model protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) and a clinical therapeutic (α1-antitrypsin, AAT) in ZIF-8. The in situ kinetics of nucleation, growth, and crystallization of BSA@ZIF-8 were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. By controlling the injection time of ethanol, the particle growth could be quenched by ethanol-induced crystallization from amorphous particles to ZIF-8 crystals. The particle size of the biocomposite was tuned in the 40-100 nm range by varying residence time prior to introduction of ethanol. As a proof-of-concept, this procedure was used for the encapsulation of AAT in ZIF-8. Upon release of the biotherapeutic from the composite, the trypsin inhibitor function of AAT was preserved.

Jet-mixing reactor for the production of monodisperse silver nanoparticles using a reduced amount of capping agent

The jet-mixing reactor can continuously produce monodisperse silver nanoparticles using limited amounts of capping agent.