Facilities

ZIFs

Zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) are porous crystalline materials that have the same underlying topology with zeolite structures. ZIFs are synthesized from transition metals (Zn, Co) and imidazole (or its derivatives) by using solvothermal methods. In ZIF chemistry, the underlying topology of final products are determined by linker-linker interaction rather than by the geometry of organic linker in MOF or the using of structure directing agents in zeolite. Especially, unlike many other MOFs ZIFs are exceptional stable in water, organic solvents, and aqueous alkaline solution; these striking properties have offers them potential in diverse applications, i.g., gas storage, carbon dioxide capture, catalysis, and so on.

Figure 1. Structure of ZIF-100, which is a well-known compound with collosal cages (Left) and the bridging angel in ZIF (1) and in zeolite (2) (Right)