Synthesis of MOF-on-MOF architectures in the context of interfacial lattice matching

Abstract

Functional materials based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), especially MOF-on-MOF architectures, have attracted great interest for their potential application in a range of fields. The well-defined crystalline features of MOFs encourage the rational design of MOF-on-MOF architectures through connecting at the interface via various methods. This highlight summarises the previously reported MOF-on-MOF systems, with a focus on the presented crystallographic information and classification of the systems according to lattice parameter matching. Epitaxial growth has been reported to yield tightly bonded interfaces between two MOFs possessing similar lattice parameters, while lattice-mismatched pairs require some modification to enhance their connection. Overall, understanding the fundamental aspects of MOF-on-MOF growth based on their crystallographic connections will provide new opportunities for more rational approaches to construct MOF-based functional materials.