Shape and size control and gas adsorption of Ni(II)-doped MOF-5 nano/microcrystals

Ni(II)-doped MOF-5 nano/microcrystals with controllable morphology and size were successfully obtained by solvothermal method. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gas adsorption measurements. Investigation has been performed on the factors influencing the morphology and size of Ni(II)-doped MOF-5 nano/microstructures, such as the volume ratio of C2H5OH:DMF and the concentration of the reactants. The gas sorption measurements reveal that highly crystalline particles have large Langmuir surface area and total pore volume. It was found that the Ni(II)-doped MOF-5 shows enhanced hydrostability and the sorption profiles of the Ni(II)-doped MOF-5 nano/microcrystals are dependent on the morphology and size of the particles.