Label-free visualization of heterogeneities and defects in metal-organic frameworks using nonlinear optics

Defects influence the properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as their storage amount and the diffusion kinetics of gas molecules. However, the spatial distribution of defects is still poorly understood due to a lack of visualization methods. Here, we present a new method using nonlinear optics (NLO) that allows the visualization of defects within MOFs.