Transformation of ZIF-67 Nanocubes to ZIF-L Nanoframes

Investigating the process of crystalline transformation in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has significant implications in advancing our understanding of the growth mechanisms and design of innovative materials. This study achieves a theoretically impossible transformation direction from three-dimensional (3D) zeolitic imidazolate nanocubes (ZIF) to two-dimensional (2D) ZIF nanoframes through the Marangoni effect in droplets. This transformation challenges the established belief that only a transition from 2D ZIF-L to 3D ZIF-67 is possible, which neglects the reverse process. Finite element analysis indicates that the conversion from 3D ZIF to 2D ZIF is feasible when uniform mass distribution and heat transport are guaranteed under Marangoni flow. This research not only demonstrates an alternative pathway for MOF crystalline transformation but also provides a fresh perspective on the construction of MOF nanoframes.