Amorphous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of materials. However, their structural characterisation represents a significant challenge. Fe-BTC, and the commercial equivalent Basolite® F300, are MOFs with incredibly diverse catalytic ability, yet their disordered structures remain poorly understood in comparison to the crystalline structures of MIL-100 (Figures). In our work, we have previously found that that the structures of amorphous MOFs can be represented by models containing a mixture of short- and medium-range order. We have also shown how the introduction of disorder into crystalline structures may impart functional properties to materials, including the ability to separate hydrocarbon mixtures.

Selected References