Nucleation of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks: from molecules to nanoparticles
Salvador R. G. Balestra, Bruno Martı́nez−Haya, Norge Cruz Hernández, Dewi W. Lewis, Scott M. Woodley, Rocío Semino, Guillaume Maurin, A. Rabdel Ruiz‐Salvador, Said Hamad
Abstract
cluster, suggesting that Ostwald's rule (the less stable polymorph crystallizes first) could be fulfilled, not for kinetic, but for thermodynamic reasons. Our results suggest that the first clusters formed in the nucleation process would be glassy clusters, which then undergo transformation to any of the various crystal structures possible, depending on the kinetic routes provided by the synthesis conditions. Our study helps elucidate the way in which the various species present in solution interact, leading to nucleation and crystal growth.
Topics & Concepts
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworkNucleationNanoparticleMaterials scienceImidazolateMoleculeNanotechnologyChemical engineeringMetal-organic frameworkChemistryOrganic chemistryAdsorptionEngineeringMetal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and ApplicationsZeolite Catalysis and SynthesisX-ray Diffraction in Crystallography