Electrosynthesis of metal-organic framework films with well-defined facets.

The deposition of metal-organic framework (MOF) films with defined exposed facets is important to enhance the performance of these films for e.g. catalysis or separations. In this work, MOF films with specific exposed facets are electrodeposited anodically on various substrates (e.g. on copper-sputtered Si wafers, copper meshes, copper foams, and polypropylene membranes). The influence of the deposition parameters, including the pH of the solution, current density, concentration of linker, and solvent, on the exposed facets of the deposited MOFs was investigated. The results suggest that precise control over the supersaturation during anodic deposition is a possible strategy for synthesizing MOF crystals with well-defined exposed facets. This approach provides a powerful toolbox for various applications requiring crystal facet control of MOF films.