Investigation of water as solvent alternative for methanol-based ZIF-8 synthesis

Abstract

This research investigates the use of water as an alternative solvent to methanol in the synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8). Despite methanol's established role in achieving high-yield and excellent crystallinity in ZIF-8 synthesis, its undesirable properties prompt the need for a safer and more sustainable alternative. Preliminary attempts to use water have been met with sub-optimal results due to its high polarity, which seemingly interferes with the synthesis process. In this study, we conduct an in-depth comparison of the physicochemical properties of ZIF-8 synthesized using both solvents. We also explore the influence of precursor ratios on crystallinity and yield. The overarching goal is not to merely compare solvent performance, but to uncover fundamental characteristics that could optimize water-based synthesis. This research contributes to the discourse on green chemistry and the sustainable production of ZIFs, aiming to promote environmentally-friendly practices in ZIF synthesis.