Microwave Assisted Surfactant-Thermal Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework Materials

This research explores the application of surfactants as green solvents for the rapid microwave synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. Lead, copper, and iron metal-organic framework materials were synthesized using surfactant-thermal microwave synthesis. The MOF materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. With the exception of the iron MOF, which was expected to be amorphous, the MOF materials are crystalline, though generally exhibiting smaller crystals than those achieved with traditional solvothermal synthesis. This green synthetic method reduced synthesis time and reduced the use of traditional organic solvents as the reaction media.