Observation of ZnO nanoparticles outside pores of nano Zn4O(C8H4O4)3 metal-organic framework

It was recognized that ZnO can be formed during synthesizing nano Zn₄O(C₈H₄O₄)₃ metal-organic framework (nano MOF-5). Furthermore, it is generally accepted that the ZnO is dispersed inside the pores of MOF-5. However, herein, the measurements of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the crystal particle sizes of ZnO in MOF-5 are in the range of 5-18 nm, which are larger than the pore size of MOF-5 (1.3 nm). This clearly demonstrates that those ZnO nanoparticles are located outside the pores of MOF-5.