Kinetic-Controlled Formation of Bimetallic Metal-Organic Framework Hybrid Structures

Heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed from two or more kinds of metal ions, while still remaining their original topologies. Due to distinct reaction kinetics during MOF formation, partial distribution of different metals within a single MOF crystal can lead to sophisticated heterogeneous nanostructures. Here, this study reports an investigation of reaction kinetics for different metal ions in a bimetallic MOF system, the ZIF-8/67 (M(2-mIM)₂ , M = Zn for ZIF-8, and Co for ZIF-67, 2-mIM = 2-methylimidazole), by in situ optical method. Distinct kinetics of the two metals forming single-component MOFs are revealed, and when both Co and Zn ions are present in the starting solution, homogeneous distributions of the two metals are only achieved at high Co/Zn ratio, while at low Co/Zn ratio concentration gradient from Co-rich cores to Zn-rich shells is observed. Further, by adding the two metals in sequence, more sophisticated structures are achieved. Specifically, when Co²⁺ is added first, ZIF-67@ZIF-8/67 core-shell nanocrystals are achieved with tunable core/shell thickness ratio depending on the time intervals; while when Zn²⁺ is added first, only agglomerates of irregular shape form due to the weak nucleation ability of Zn²⁺ .