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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
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Surface Functionalization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Improved Moisture Resistance
Published on: September 5, 2018
On-Water Surface Synthesis of 2D Conjugated Metal-Organic Framework Films With Controllable Layer Orientation
Jianjun Zhang1,2, Víctor García-López2, Yutong Wu3
1Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle, Germany.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|June 23, 2026
Summary
Controlled synthesis of conductive 2D metal-organic framework films using surfactant-assisted on-water methods enables enhanced sensor performance. This technique precisely programs film orientation for improved electronic device applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) possess conductivity and porosity, making them suitable for chemiresistive sensors.
- Device performance in 2D c-MOFs is highly dependent on film orientation due to structural and transport anisotropies.
- Controlled synthesis of well-aligned 2D c-MOF films is crucial for optimizing device functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a synthetic strategy for controlled orientation of 2D c-MOF films.
- To investigate the impact of film orientation on charge transport properties.
- To fabricate and evaluate chemiresistive sensors based on oriented 2D c-MOF films.
Main Methods:
- Surfactant monolayer-assisted on-water synthesis to program layer orientation (face-on vs. edge-on) of Ni-HHTP films.
- Imaging and scattering techniques (e.g., TEM, XRD) to confirm film orientation.
- Electrical transport measurements and optical pump-THz probe spectroscopy to assess charge transport.
- Fabrication and testing of ammonia (NH3) chemiresistive sensors.
Main Results:
- Macroscopic control over Ni-HHTP film orientation (face-on and edge-on) achieved over cm² areas.
- Significantly enhanced intralayer charge transport observed in face-on oriented films.
- Ammonia sensors based on face-on Ni-HHTP films exhibited a high response (269.8% at 50 ppm) and an ultra-low detection limit (8.45 ppb).
Conclusions:
- Surfactant-programmed on-water synthesis is an effective method for controlling macroscopic orientation in 2D c-MOFs.
- Exploiting anisotropic charge transport through controlled orientation leads to high-performance sensing devices.
- This approach opens new avenues for designing advanced electronic devices based on 2D c-MOFs.
