Cu 2 O Mediated Synthesis of Metal–Organic Framework UiO-66 in Nanometer Scale

Controlled synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in nanometer scale is highly desired for the optimization of properties and the extending of applications. In this work, Cu 2 O was used as additive for the first time in the synthesis of zirconium-based MOF UiO-66. We found that the amount of Cu 2 O additive had an important impact on downsizing the crystal size of UiO-66. Cu 2 O additive plays a role of rate controller of crystal growth of UiO-66 crystals by their competitive coordination behavior with the linker H 2 BDC between the [Zr–O] clusters. This generates a depleted H 2 BDC concentration for the coordination with the [Zr–O] clusters for constructing the UiO-66 framework, which favors the production of small crystals. As a result, well-dispersed nanometer scale UiO-66 crystals with mean crystal size of 40 nm can be easily synthesized by the addition of Cu 2 O. The as-synthesized nanometer scale UiO-66 crystals have a pure crystal structure with high crystallinity and superior porosity.