Controllable Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks: From MOF Nanorods to Oriented MOF Membranes

Tailoring of the crystal size and morphology of metal–organic framework (MOF) materials and manipulation of MOF films is possible by the solvothermal synthesis route introduced here. A c-out-of-plane ZIF-7 membrane (see figure) is obtained through evolutionary selection in a van der Drift–type growth originating from randomly oriented seed layers. Highly oriented MOF thin films are important as molecular sieve membranes.