Phase Transfer Directed Synthesis of Hollow Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-67 Nanocages

Cubic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) nanocage was prepared by using a multitemplate and phase transfer directed method. Phase transfer of aqueous metal ions on the interface of cubic Cu₂O template was achieved by coordinating etching and precipitating process, in which cubic morphology was preserved and hollow metal oxide nanocages were obtained due to the removal of templates. Therefore, cubic ZIFs nanocages could be formed by the transformation of metal oxide cages, which was a self-template transforming process. The former metal oxide nanocages will not only be the template, but also the metal source for the construction of ZIFs as well. This phase transfer directed method will offer a further development of porous metal–organic frameworks with functional hollow structure.