University of Erlangen demonstrate sALD of Crystalline Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films (MOFs)

For the first time, a procedure has been established for the growth of surface-anchored metal–organic framework (SURMOF) copper(II) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) thin films of thickness control with single molecule accuracy. For this, we exploit the novel method solution atomic layer deposition (sALD). The sALD growth rate has been determined at 4.5 Å per cycle. The compact and dense SURMOF films grown at room temperature by sALD possess a vastly superior film thickness uniformity than those deposited by conventional solution-based techniques, such as dipping and spraying while featuring clear crystallinity from 100 nm thickness. The highly controlled layer-by-layer growth mechanism of sALD proves crucial to prevent unwanted side reactions such as Ostwald ripening or detrimental island growth, ensuring continuous Cu-BDC film coverage. This successful demonstration of sALD-grown compact continuous Cu-BDC SURMOF films is a paradigm change and provides a key advancement enabling a multitude of applications that require continuous and ultrathin coatings while maintaining tight film thickness specifications, which were previously unattainable with conventional solution-based growth methods.

Solution Atomic Layer Deposition of Smooth, Continuous, Crystalline Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films

Maïssa K. S. Barr*, Soheila Nadiri, Dong-Hui Chen, Peter G. Weidler, Sebastian Bochmann, Helmut Baumgart, Julien Bachmann, and Engelbert Redel*
Chem. Mater. 2022, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX
Publication Date:November 2, 2022
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.2c01102