Nanoparticle-Directed Metal-Organic Framework/Porous Organic Polymer Monolithic Supports for Flow-Based Applications

A two-step nanoparticle-directed route for the preparation of macroporous polymer monoliths for which the pore surface is covered with a metal-organic framework (MOF) coating has been developed to facilitate the use of MOFs in flow-based applications. The flow-through monolithic matrix was prepared in a column format from a polymerization mixture containing ZnO-nanoparticles. These nanoparticles embedded in the precursor monolith were converted to MOF coatings via the dissolution-precipitation equilibrium after filling the pores of the monolith with a solution of the organic linker. Pore surface coverage with the microporous zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 resulted in an increase in surface area from 72 to 273 m² g^-1. Monolithic polymer containing ZIF-8 coating was implemented as a microreactor catalyzing the Knoevenagel condensation reaction and also in extraction column format enabling the preconcentration of trace levels of toxic chlorophenols in environmental waters. Our approach can be readily adapted to other polymers and MOFs thus enabling development of systems for flow-based MOF applications.