10.1021/nl901397k.s009
Ronald J. T. Houk
Ronald
J. T. Houk
Benjamin W. Jacobs
Benjamin W.
Jacobs
Farid El Gabaly
Farid El
Gabaly
Noel N. Chang
Noel N.
Chang
A. Alec Talin
A. Alec
Talin
Dennis D. Graham
Dennis D.
Graham
Stephen D. House
Stephen D.
House
Ian M. Robertson
Ian M.
Robertson
Mark D. Allendorf
Mark D.
Allendorf
Silver Cluster Formation, Dynamics, and Chemistry in Metal−Organic Frameworks
American Chemical Society
2009
uniform arrays
Ag 3 clusters
silver nanocluster formation
uniform pore sizes
particle sizes
metal nanoparticles
representative MOF templates
chemical stabilization
Silver Cluster Formation
MOF pores
2009-10-14 00:00:00
Media
https://acs.figshare.com/articles/media/Silver_Cluster_Formation_Dynamics_and_Chemistry_in_Metal_Organic_Frameworks/2821864
Synthetic methods used to produce metal nanoparticles typically lead to a distribution of particle sizes. In addition, creation of the smallest clusters, with sizes of a few to tens of atoms, remains very challenging. Nanoporous metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising solution to these problems, since their long-range crystalline order creates completely uniform pore sizes with the potential for both steric and chemical stabilization. We report a systematic investigation of silver nanocluster formation within MOFs using three representative MOF templates. The as-synthesized clusters are spectroscopically consistent with dimensions ≤1 nm, with a significant fraction existing as Ag<sub>3</sub> clusters, as shown by electron paramagnetic resonance. Importantly, we show conclusively that very rapid TEM-induced MOF degradation leads to agglomeration and stable, easily imaged particles, explaining prior reports of particles larger than MOF pores. These results solve an important riddle concerning MOF-based templates and suggest that heterostructures composed of highly uniform arrays of nanoparticles within MOFs are feasible.