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Synthesis of Single-Crystalline Core-Shell Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: February 10, 2023
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Two-Photon 3D Printing in Metal-Organic Framework Single Crystals
Yusheng Zhang1, Yuming Su1, Yi Zhao1
1Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|April 28, 2022
Summary
Two-photon polymerization (TPP) enables 3D printing inside metal-organic framework (MOF) crystals, creating novel hybrid microstructures. This technique offers potential for advanced MOF sensing devices and data storage applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Two-photon polymerization (TPP) is an advanced additive manufacturing technique utilizing ultrafast laser pulses for micro/nano-fabrication.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials with diverse applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of performing TPP within MOF crystals.
- To create novel hybrid microstructures by integrating printed materials into MOF scaffolds.
- To explore the potential applications of MOF-templated microstructures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-photon polymerization (TPP) to fabricate intricate structures directly inside a metal-organic framework (MOF) crystal.
- Employed acid treatment to selectively remove the MOF, releasing the printed microstructure.
- Characterized the resulting microstructure-in-crystal hybrid and the released structures.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved TPP within a MOF crystal, fabricating complex internal microstructures.
- Created a novel microstructure-in-crystal hybrid material.
- Demonstrated the release of the printed structure by dissolving the MOF template.
- Highlighted the potential for MOF sensing device fabrication and data storage.
Conclusions:
- Two-photon polymerization within MOF crystals is a viable method for creating unique hybrid materials.
- This technique opens avenues for fabricating functional microstructures for sensing and data storage.
- Future work could involve printing multiple materials within MOFs for complex 3D devices.
