Design and synthesis of two novel functional metal–organic microcapsules; an investigation into ligand expansion effects on the metal–organic microcapsules' properties

Abstract

In this study, two novel metal–organic capsules were synthesized based on coordination-directed organization of two new extended tetrazolate ligands (1,4-bis((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)benzene (btmbenzene), 4,4′-bis((1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl)biphenyl (btmbiphenyl)) and Zn²⁺ ions. Furthermore, the function of these capsules in the inclusion of inorganic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄), dyes (Rhodamine B) and drugs (5-fluorouracil) was investigated. Moreover, the effects of ligand expansion on the size, morphology, loading capacity and other properties of these capsules were studied. In addition, other morphologies of these coordination polymers were fabricated under different conditions . Finally, the obtained microcapsules were utilized for the synthesis of crystalline ZnO hollow spheres via a calcination method.