title: Metal-organic frameworks: from molecules/metal ions to crystals to superstructures.
abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most attractive porous materials known today, exhibiting very high surface areas, tuneable pore sizes and shapes, adjustable surface functionality, and flexible structures. Advances in the formation of MOF crystals, and in their subsequent assembly into more complex and/or composite superstructures, should expand the scope of these materials in many applications (e.g., drug delivery, chemical sensors, selective reactors and removal devices, etc.) and facilitate their integration onto surfaces and into devices. This Concept article aims to showcase recently developed synthetic strategies to control the one-, two- and three-dimensional (1-, 2- and 3D) organisation of MOF crystals.
authors.affiliation: Supramolecular NanoChemistry and Materials Group, ICN2-Institut Catala de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia, Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona (Spain).
authors.forename: Arnau
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carné-Sánchez
authors.forename: Inhar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imaz
authors.forename: Kyriakos C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Stylianou
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maspoch
keywords: composites; metal-organic frameworks; self-assembly; superstructures; template synthesis