Nanoparticle-Directed Metal–Organic Framework/Porous Organic Polymer Monolithic Supports for Flow-Based Applications

A two-step nanoparticle-directed route for the preparation of macroporous polymer monoliths for which the pore surface is covered with a metal–organic framework (MOF) coating has been developed to facilitate the use of MOFs in flow-based applications. The flow-through monolithic matrix was prepared in a column format from a polymerization mixture containing ZnO-nanoparticles. These nanoparticles embedded in the precursor monolith were converted to MOF coatings via the dissolution–precipitation equilibrium after filling the pores of the monolith with a solution of the organic linker. Pore surface coverage with the microporous zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 resulted in an increase in su…