Site-selective growth of surface-anchored metal-organic frameworks on self-assembled monolayer patterns prepared by AFM nanografting

An Overview of Metal-organic Framework Based Electrocatalysts: Design and Synthesis for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution, Oxygen Evolution, and Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reactions

Due to the increasing global energy demands, scarce fossil fuel supplies, and environmental issues, the pursued goals of energy technologies are being sustainable, more efficient, accessible, and produce near zero greenhouse gas emissions. Electrochemical water splitting is considered as a highly viable and eco-friendly energy technology. Further, electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO2 ) reduction reaction (CO2 RR) is a cleaner strategy for CO2 utilization and conversion to stable energy (fuels). One of the critical issues in these cleaner technologies is the development of efficient and economical electrocatalyst. Among various materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are becoming increasingly popular because of their structural tunability, such as pre- and post- synthetic modifications, flexibility in ligand design and its functional groups, and incorporation of different metal nodes, that allows for the design of suitable MOFs with desired quality required for each process. In this review, the design of MOF was discussed for specific process together with different synthetic methods and their effects on the MOF properties. The MOFs as electrocatalysts were highlighted with their performances from the aspects of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and electrochemical CO2 RR. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed.

Impact of Surface Functionalization and Deposition Method on Cu-BDC surMOF Formation, Morphology, Crystallinity, and Stability

For direct integration into device architectures, surface-anchored metal-organic framework (surMOF) thin films are attractive systems for a wide variety of electronic, photonic, sensing, and gas storage applications. This research systematically investigates the effect of deposition method and surface functionalization on the film formation of a copper paddle-wheel-based surMOF. Solution-phase layer-by-layer (LBL) immersion and LBL spray deposition methods are employed to deposit copper benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) on gold substrates functionalized with carboxyl- and hydroxyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). A difference in crystal orientation is observed by atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry based on surface functionalization for films deposited by the LBL immersion method but not for spray-deposited films. Cu-BDC crystallites with a strong preferred orientation perpendicular to the substrate were observed for the films deposited by the LBL immersion method on carboxyl-terminated SAMs. These crystals could be removed upon testing adhesive properties, whereas all other Cu-BDC surMOF film structures demonstrated excellent adhesive properties. Additionally, film stability upon exposure to water or heat was investigated. Ellipsometric data provide insight into film formation elucidating 7 and 14 Å average thicknesses per deposition cycle for films deposited by the immersion method on 11-mercapto-1-undecanol (MUD) and 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA), respectively. In contrast, the films deposited by the spray method are thicker with the same average thickness per deposition cycle (21 Å) for both SAMs. While the spray method takes less time to grow thicker films, it produces similar crystallite structures, regardless of the surface functionalization. This research is fundamental to understanding the impact of deposition method and surface functionalization on surMOF film growth and to provide strategies for the preparation of high-quality surMOFs.

Recent progress on MOF-based optical sensors for VOC sensing

The raising apprehension of volatile organic compound (VOC) exposures urges the exploration of advanced monitoring platforms. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide many attractive features including tailorable porosity, high surface areas, good chemical/thermal stability, and various host-guest interactions, making them appealing candidates for VOC capture and sensing. To comprehensively exploit the potential of MOFs as sensing materials, great efforts have been dedicated to the shaping and patterning of MOFs for next-level device integration. Among different types of sensors (chemiresistive sensors, gravimetric sensors, optical sensors, etc.), MOFs coupled with optical sensors feature distinctive strength. This review summarized the latest advancements in MOF-based optical sensors with a particular focus on VOC sensing. The subject is discussed by different mechanisms: colorimetry, luminescence, and sensors based on optical index modulations. Critical analysis for each system highlighting practical aspects was also deliberated.

Metal organic framework top-down and bottom-up patterning techniques

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently attracted considerable research interest in several fields from coordination chemistry and materials science to engineering and medicine not only due to energy and environmental issues but also due to the need for new paradigms of efficiency and sustainability according to the requirements of the 21st century global society. Because of their crystalline and organic-inorganic nature, they are able to crystallize constituting intergrown architectures ductile enough to be patterned, with the use of appropriate techniques, as nano- and micro-devices with multiple applications. This perspective comprehensively summarizes the recent state of the art in the use of top-down and bottom-up methodologies to create MOF structures with a defined pattern at the nano- and micro-scale.

In Situ Spectroscopy of Calcium Fluoride Anchored Metal-Organic Framework Thin Films during Gas Sorption

Surface‐mounted metal–organic frameworks (SURMOFs) show promising behavior for a manifold of applications. As MOF thin films are often unsuitable for conventional characterization techniques, understanding their advantageous properties over their bulk counterparts presents a great analytical challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that MOFs can be grown on calcium fluoride (CaF₂) windows after proper functionalization. As CaF₂ is optically (in the IR and UV/Vis range of the spectrum) transparent, this makes it possible to study SURMOFs using conventional spectroscopic tools typically used during catalysis or gas sorption. Hence, we have measured HKUST‐1 during the adsorption of CO and NO. We show that no copper oxide impurities are observed and also confirm that SURMOFs grown by a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) approach possess Cu⁺ species in paddlewheel confirmation, but 1.9 times less than in bulk HKUST‐1. The developed methodology paves the way for studying the interaction of any adsorbed gases with thin films, not limited to MOFs, low temperatures, or these specific probe molecules, pushing the boundaries of our current understanding of functional porous materials.

Defect Creation in Surface-Mounted Metal-Organic Framework Thin Films

Defect engineering is a strategy for tailoring the properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Plenty of efforts have been devoted to study the defect chemistry and structures of bulk MOFs; however, the reported example of a defect-engineered surface-mounted MOF (SURMOF) thin film is rare. In this work, defects were incorporated in SURMOF thin films by using defect-generating linkers and taking advantage of the liquid-phase stepwise epitaxial layer-by-layer growth (LBL). Two methods based on the LBL, named mixing method and alternating method, are proposed for incorporating defects in the prototypical SURMOF HKUST-1 by partially substituting the parent H₃btc (benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) linker with a set of defect-generating linkers H₂ip (isophthalic acid), H₂OH-ip (5-hydroxyisophthalic acid), and H₂pydc (3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid). The crystallinity and phase purity of the obtained "defected" SURMOFs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The incorporation of the defect-generating linkers and the types of induced defects were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, methanol adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (after digestion of the samples). These two methods provide avenues for controlling the defect formation in MOF thin films.

Adaptable and Reprogrammable Surfaces

Establishing control over chemical reactions on interfaces is a key challenge in contemporary surface and materials science, in particular when introducing well-defined functionalities in a reversible fashion. Reprogrammable, adaptable and functional interfaces require sophisticated chemistries to precisely equip them with specific functionalities having tailored properties. In the last decade, reversible chemistries-both covalent and noncovalent-have paved the way to precision functionalize 2 or 3D structures that provide both spatial and temporal control. A critical literature assessment reveals that methodologies for writing and erasing substrates exist, yet are still far from reaching their full potential. It is thus critical to assess the current status and to identify avenues to overcome the existing limitations. Herein, the current state-of-the-art in the field of reversible chemistry on surfaces is surveyed, while concomitantly identifying the challenges-not only synthetic but also in current surface characterization methods. The potential within reversible chemistry on surfaces to function as true writeable memories devices is identified, and the latest developments in readout technologies are discussed. Finally, we explore how spatial and temporal control over reversible, light-induced chemistries has the potential to drive the future of functional interface design, especially when combined with powerful laser lithographic applications.

Perspective on the Interfacial Reduction Reaction

Chemical reactions involving oxidation and reduction processes at interfaces may vary from those in conventional liquid-phase or solid-phase reactions and could influence the overall outcome. This article primarily features a study on metal-ligand coordination at the solid-liquid interface. Of particular mention is the spontaneous reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) at a solid-liquid interface without the need of any extraneous reducing agent, unlike in the liquid-phase reaction whereby no reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) took place. As a consequence of the interfacial reduction reaction (IRR), thin films of Cu-TCNQ (tetracyanoquinodimethane) and Cu-HCF (hexacyanoferrate) were successfully deposited onto a thiol-functionalized Au substrate via a layer-by-layer (LbL) method. IRR is anticipated to be useful in generating new functional and stimuli-responsive materials, which are otherwise difficult to achieve via conventional liquid-phase reactions.

Correlated Materials Characterization via Multimodal Chemical and Functional Imaging

Multimodal chemical imaging simultaneously offers high-resolution chemical and physical information with nanoscale and, in select cases, atomic resolution. By coupling modalities that collect physical and chemical information, we can address scientific problems in biological systems, battery and fuel cell research, catalysis, pharmaceuticals, photovoltaics, medicine, and many others. The combined systems enable the local correlation of material properties with chemical makeup, making fundamental questions of how chemistry and structure drive functionality approachable. In this Review, we present recent progress and offer a perspective for chemical imaging used to characterize a variety of samples by a number of platforms. Specifically, we present cases of infrared and Raman spectroscopies combined with scanning probe microscopy; optical microscopy and mass spectrometry; nonlinear optical microscopy; and, finally, ion, electron, and probe microscopies with mass spectrometry. We also discuss the challenges associated with the use of data originated by the combinatorial hardware, analysis, and machine learning as well as processing tools necessary for the interpretation of multidimensional data acquired from multimodal studies.

Metal–Organic Framework Membranes: From Fabrication to Gas Separation

Gas membrane-based separation is considered one of the most effective technologies to address energy efficiency and large footprint challenges. Various classes of advanced materials, including polymers, zeolites, porous carbons, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been investigated as potential suitable candidates for gas membrane-based separations. MOFs possess a uniquely tunable nature in which the pore size and environment can be controlled by connecting metal ions (or metal ion clusters) with organic linkers of various functionalities. This unique characteristic makes them attractive for the fabrication of thin membranes, as both the diffusion and solubility components of permeability can be altered. Numerous studies have been published on the synthesis and applications of MOFs, as well as the fabrication of MOF-based thin films. However, few studies have addressed their gas separation properties for potential applications in membrane-based separation technologies. Here, we present a synopsis of the different types of MOF-based membranes that have been fabricated over the past decade. In this review, we start with a short introduction touching on the gas separation membrane technology. We also shed light on the various techniques developed for the fabrication of MOF as membranes, and the key challenges that still need to be tackled before MOF-based membranes can successfully be used in gas separation and implemented in an industrial setting.

Time-Resolved In Situ Liquid-Phase Atomic Force Microscopy and Infrared Nanospectroscopy during the Formation of Metal-Organic Framework Thin Films

Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films show unmatched promise as smart membranes and photocatalytic coatings. However, their nucleation and growth resulting from intricate molecular assembly processes are not well understood yet are crucial to control the thin film properties. Here, we directly observe the nucleation and growth behavior of HKUST-1 thin films by real-time in situ AFM at different temperatures in a Cu-BTC solution. In combination with ex situ infrared (nano)spectroscopy, synthesis at 25 °C reveals initial nucleation of rapidly growing HKUST-1 islands surrounded by a continuously nucleating but slowly growing HKUST-1 carpet. Monitoring at 13 and 50 °C shows the strong impact of temperature on thin film formation, resulting in (partial) nucleation and growth inhibition. The nucleation and growth mechanisms as well as their kinetics provide insights to aid in future rational design of MOF thin films.

Electrochemically-Driven Insertion of Biological Nanodiscs into Solid State Membrane Pores as a Basis for "Pore-In-Pore" Membranes

Nanoporous membranes are of increasing interest for many applications, such as molecular filters, biosensors, nanofluidic logic and energy conversion devices. To meet high-quality standards, e.g., in molecular separation processes, membranes with well-defined pores in terms of pore diameter and chemical properties are required. However, the preparation of membranes with narrow pore diameter distributions is still challenging. In the work presented here, we demonstrate a strategy, a "pore-in-pore" approach, where the conical pores of a solid state membrane produced by a multi-step top-down lithography procedure are used as a template to insert precisely-formed biomolecular nanodiscs with exactly defined inner and outer diameters. These nanodiscs, which are the building blocks of tobacco mosaic virus-deduced particles, consist of coat proteins, which self-assemble under defined experimental conditions with a stabilizing short RNA. We demonstrate that the insertion of the nanodiscs can be driven either by diffusion due to a concentration gradient or by applying an electric field along the cross-section of the solid state membrane. It is found that the electrophoresis-driven insertion is significantly more effective than the insertion via the concentration gradient.

Two-Step Nanoscale Approach for Well-Defined Complex Alkanethiol Films on Au Surfaces

Controlling the molecular organization of organic self-assembled monolayers (SAM) is of utmost importance in nanotechnology, molecular electronics, and surface science. Here we propose two well-differentiated approaches, double printing based on microcontact printing (μ-cp) and molecular backfilling adsorption, to produce complex alkanethiol films. The resulting films on model Au surfaces were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements. Double printing alkanethiols results in clear coexisting regions where no molecular displacement is observed, highlighting the slow diffusion rates of long alkanethiols and large attractive interaction between long alkyl chains. Exposing a single-print μ-cp Au substrate to an additional alkanethiol solution yields the formation of differently ordered domain boundaries with different thickness and micrometer lateral size. The high order is a result of enhanced molecular mobility and restructuring during solution backfilling. The formed molecular assemblies constitute an excellent testing ground for nanoscale phenomena that strongly depend on the nanoscale geometrical and chemical features of the surface such as designed functionality or corrosion initiation and inhibition.

Tailoring the nanoscale morphology of HKUST-1 thin films via codeposition and seeded growth

Integration of surface-anchored metal-organic frameworks (surMOFs) within hierarchical architectures is necessary for potential sensing, electronic, optical, or separation applications. It is important to understand the fundamentals of film formation for these surMOFs in order to develop strategies for their incorporation with nanoscale control over lateral and vertical dimensions. This research identified processing parameters to control the film morphology for surMOFs of HKUST-1 fabricated by codeposition and seeded deposition. Time and temperature were investigated to observe film formation, to control film thickness, and to tune morphology. Film thickness was investigated by ellipsometry, while film structure and film roughness were characterized by atomic force microscopy. Films formed via codeposition resulted in nanocrystallites anchored to the gold substrate. A dynamic process at the interface was observed with a low density of large particulates (above 100 nm) initially forming on the substrate; and over time these particulates were slowly replaced by the prevalence of smaller crystallites (ca. 10 nm) covering the substrate at a high density. Elevated temperature was found to expedite the growth process to obtain the full range of surface morphologies with reasonable processing times. Seed crystals formed by the codeposition method were stable and nucleated growth throughout a subsequent layer-by-layer deposition process. These seed crystals templated the final film structure and tailor the features in lateral and vertical directions. Using codeposition and seeded growth, different surface morphologies with controllable nanoscale dimensions can be designed and fabricated for integration of MOF systems directly into device architectures and sensor platforms.

Surface-supported metal–organic framework thin films: fabrication methods, applications, and challenges

Surface-supported metal–organic framework thin films are receiving increasing attention as a novel form of nanotechnology, which hold great promise for photovoltaics, electronic devices, CO₂ reduction, energy storage, water splitting and membranes.

Nucleation and Early Stages of Layer-by-Layer Growth of Metal Organic Frameworks on Surfaces

High resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to resolve the evolution of crystallites of a metal organic framework (HKUST-1) grown on Au(111) using a liquid-phase layer-by-layer methodology. The nucleation and faceting of individual crystallites is followed by repeatedly imaging the same submicron region after each cycle of growth and we find that the growing surface is terminated by {111} facets leading to the formation of pyramidal nanostructures for [100] oriented crystallites, and triangular [111] islands with typical lateral dimensions of tens of nanometres. AFM images reveal that crystallites can grow by 5-10 layers in each cycle. The growth rate depends on crystallographic orientation and the morphology of the gold substrate, and we demonstrate that under these conditions the growth is nanocrystalline with a morphology determined by the minimum energy surface.

MOF positioning technology and device fabrication

Methods for permanent localisation, dynamic localisation and spatial control of functional materials within MOF crystals are critical for the development of miniaturised MOF-based devices for a number of technological applications.