Synthesis and carbon dioxide capture properties of flower-shaped zeolitic imidazolate framework-L

Abstract

Flower-shaped zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (ZIF-L) nanostructures were synthesized by a coordination control method. The various factors influencing the growth of the flower-shaped ZIF-L include the quantity of H₂O₂, reaction time and temperature, and the formation process and the mechanism were investigated. The results showed that H₂O₂ plays an induction role in the growth of crystal nuclei. Using the cleaning regulator, H₂O₂, flower-like ZIF-L with a high yield was produced in a short time at room temperature, and the fluorescence enhancement products were prepared at high temperature. Meanwhile, the CO₂ adsorption capacity of flower-shaped ZIF-L was 1.15 mmol g⁻¹ at room temperature and 1 bar, which was higher than that of the two-dimensional ZIF-L. This outstanding CO₂ capture performance is attributed primarily to the hierarchical flower-shaped micro/nanostructure which is resistant to leaf aggregation and stacking, thus increasing the CO₂ adsorption capability. These results may open a new avenue for the development of ZIF-L nanocrystals with a controlled morphology, which will be widely applied in luminescence analysis, gas sensing, separation and storage.