Morphological and Structural Evolutions of Metal-Organic Framework Particles from Amorphous Spheres to Crystalline Hexagonal Rods

Compositions as well as morphologies and structures of particles are vital factors that define their properties and applications. However, the morphology and structure changes associated with the composition change of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are barely studied. Herein, we report the morphology and structure changes of MOF particles associated with the ratio of two organic linkers incorporated within MOF particles, when they are constructed from the reactions of In(NO3)3 in the presence of isophthalic acid (H2IPA) and/or 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC). Two tendencies—the tendency of BDC and In3+ to form porous crystalline hexagonal rods, and the tendency of IPA and In3+ to form non‐porous amorphous spherical particles—compete during the formation of MOF particles. Eventually, the incorporated ratio of BDC and IPA within the MOF particles, and thus their morphology and porosity, are controlled by altering the relative amounts of H2BDC and H2IPA used during the reactions. MOFs von beliebiger Form: Die Form und Struktur von MOF‐Partikeln ist abhängig von den relativen Anteilen zweier organischer Linker, Isophthalsäure und Terephthalsäure. Die Menge an jeweils eingebauten Linkern und die daraus resultierende Morphologie und Porosität des MOF können gezielt justiert werden (siehe Bild).