Cooperative Template-Directed\nAssembly of Mesoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks

Abstract

Despite great efforts, the development of a reliable\nway to assemble mesoporous metal–organic frameworks (mesoMOFs)\nremains a challenge. In this work, we have designed a cooperative\ntemplate system, comprising a surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide)\nand a chelating agent (citric acid), for the generation of a mesoMOF\ncontaining a hierarchical system of mesopores interconnected with\nmicrospores. The surfactant molecules form micelles and the chelating\nagent bridges the MOF and the micelles, making self-assembly and crystal\ngrowth proceed under the direction of the cooperative template. However,\nwhen the surfactant or the chelating agent was applied individually,\nno mesoMOF was obtained.