Preparation of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Composites Using Mechanochemical Methods

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials build up of metal ions/clusters and multidentate organic ligands via coordination bonding interactions. Due to their unique characteristics like high porosity, high specific surface area, adjustable pore size, easy modification structure and diversified functions, MOFs were widely used in many fields including but not limited to gas adsorption/separation and catalysis. Up to now, among several common preparation methods of MOFs and their composites, mechanochemistry (reactions performed by grinding solid reactants in the absence of solvents or very small amounts of solvents) as clean, green and efficient synthesis method has attracted increasing attentions. This review aims to provide a general and easily understood overview of the mechanochemical synthesis for MOFs and their composites, in which the typical progresses of mechanochemical synthsis of MOFs and MOFs composites in recent years are summeried. At present, the research trends have affirmed that the mechanochemical method is a practical and environmentally friendly way to achieve the low-cost and high-throughput production of MOFs and their composites.