title: In situ growth of metal-organic framework thin films with gas sensing and molecule storage properties.
abstract: New porous metal-organic framework (MOF) films based on the flexible ligand 1,3,5-tris[4-(carboxyphenyl)oxamethyl]-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (H3TBTC) were fabricated on α-Al2O3 substrates under solvent thermal conditions. The factors affecting the fabrication of films, such as the temperature of pre-activation and the dosage of the reagents, were investigated. Tuning the subtle factors on film fabrications, a series of MOF thin films with different morphologies and grain sizes were prepared. The morphology and grain size of the films are monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) were also used to characterize the MOF films. The results indicate that the temperature of pre-activation and the dosage of the reagents are the key parameters during the process of film formation. The properties of the films, especially the sensing and sorption behavior, have been studied by an optical digital cameral and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra. The evidence shows that the films are sensitive to small organic molecules, such as methanol and pyridine. Meanwhile, the films can adsorb small dye molecules. Thus, the films may have potential applications in either organic vapor sensing or storage of small dye molecules.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Science, 350002 Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei-Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shui-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Tian-Fu
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Zu-Jin
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D009942:Organometallic Compounds