@article{Qi2017, 
author = {Yue Qi and Chun-Ting He and Juntao Lin and Shuping Lin and Jin Liu and Jinghong Huang and Wei Xue and Guicheng Yu and Hsiu-Yi Chao and Yexiang Tong and Zhengping Qiao},
title = {Mild metal-organic-gel route for synthesis of stable sub-5-nm metal-organic framework nanocrystals},
year = {2017},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {10},
number = {11},
pages = {3621-3628},
keywords = {metal-organic gel, metal-organic frameworks, nanoparticles, liquid adsorption},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1007/s12274-017-1539-x},
doi = {10.1007/s12274-017-1539-x},
abstract = {Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) have attracted increased attention in recent years for miniaturized and/or biological applications. However, the synthesis of ultrasmall NMOFs with good stability is a great challenge. In this study, sub-5-nm nano-HKUST-1 was prepared for the first time via a mild metal- organic gel route without surfactants or capping agents. Controlling the gelation process via anion–ligand self-assembly is the key to the formation of NMOFs. The Tyndall effect, zeta potential, and liquid adsorption indicated strong stability of the obtained nano-HKUST-1, even in water. Adsorption experiments were performed using different dyes (crystal violet and methylene blue) to demonstrate the size-dependent adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics of this famous MOF. The results of this study provide new insights regarding the synthesis of NMOFs and their efficient applications.}
}