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Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks
Published on: September 5, 2014
Atomically unveiling the structure-activity relationship of biomacromolecule-metal-organic frameworks symbiotic
Linjing Tong1, Siming Huang2, Yujian Shen1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
Abstract:
Crystallization of biomacromolecules-metal-organic frameworks (BMOFs) allows for orderly assemble of symbiotic hybrids with desirable biological and chemical functions in one voxel. The structure-activity relationship of this symbiotic crystal, however, is still blurred. Here, we directly identify the atomic-level structure of BMOFs, using the integrated differential phase contrast-scanning transmission electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy and x-ray absorption fine structure techniques. We discover an obvious difference in the nanoarchitecture of BMOFs under different crystallization pathways that was previously not seen. In addition, we find the nanoarchitecture significantly affects the bioactivity of the BMOFs. This work gives an important insight into the structure-activity relationship of BMOFs synthesized in different scenarios, and may act as a guide to engineer next-generation materials with excellent biological and chemical functions.
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