Observation of formation and local structures of metal-organic layers via complementary electron microscopy techniques

Xinxing Peng, Philipp M. Pelz, Qiubo Zhang, Peican Chen, Lingyun Cao, Yaqian Zhang, Hong-Gang Liao (), Haimei Zheng, Cheng Wang, Shi-Gang Sun and Mary C. Scott ()
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Xinxing Peng: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Philipp M. Pelz: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Qiubo Zhang: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Peican Chen: Xiamen University
Lingyun Cao: Xiamen University
Yaqian Zhang: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Hong-Gang Liao: Xiamen University
Haimei Zheng: University of California
Cheng Wang: Xiamen University
Shi-Gang Sun: Xiamen University
Mary C. Scott: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Metal-organic layers (MOLs) are highly attractive for application in catalysis, separation, sensing and biomedicine, owing to their tunable framework structure. However, it is challenging to obtain comprehensive information about the formation and local structures of MOLs using standard electron microscopy methods due to serious damage under electron beam irradiation. Here, we investigate the growth processes and local structures of MOLs utilizing a combination of liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, cryogenic electron microscopy and electron ptychography. Our results show a multistep formation process, where precursor clusters first form in solution, then they are complexed with ligands to form non-crystalline solids, followed by the arrangement of the cluster-ligand complex into crystalline sheets, with additional possible growth by the addition of clusters to surface edges. Moreover, high-resolution imaging allows us to identify missing clusters, dislocations, loop and flat surface terminations and ligand connectors in the MOLs. Our observations provide insights into controllable MOL crystal morphology, defect engineering, and surface modification, thus assisting novel MOL design and synthesis.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32330-z

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