MOF FILMS ON PLASTIC
Despite a growing interest in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), researchers have yet to establish an effective method for forming MOFs into thin films. Most studies on MOF preparation focus exclusively on the powdered form. Forming MOFs into thin films would open up its use for humidity sensing, gas sensing and resistive switching devices.
Researchers from Tohoku University (Sendai; www.tohoku.ac.jp), Iwate University (Morioka) and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI; Hyogo, all Japan) overcame this obstacle by controlling the growth of MOF into films using a simple “layer-by-layer” method. This involved the sequential immersion of substrates into ingredient solutions. The researchers used four common plastics as substrates for the films, including nylon and acrylic resin. Further studies on the film-growing mechanism are expected to provide important insights into their coating on flexible and transparent plastic substrates under ambient conditions.