Controlling the Alignment of 1D Nanochannel Arrays in Oriented Metal-Organic Framework Films for Host-Guest Materials Design

Here, we successfully prepared macroscopically oriented films of Cu-based pillar-layered MOFs (Cu₂(Linker)₂DABCO) having regularly ordered 1D nanochannels. The direction of 1D nanochannels was controllable by optimizing the crystal growth process; 1D nanochannels either perpendicular or parallel to substrates, which offer molecular-scale pore arrays for a macroscopic alignment of functional guest molecules in the desired direction. We also showed the fabrication of oriented Cu₂(Linker)₂DABCO MOF patterns, where the direction of 1D nanochannels is controllable on individual locations on the same substrate. These Cu₂(Linker)₂DABCO MOF films and patterns with controlled orientation are importante steps towards the development of MOF film-based applications such as sensors and electrical/optical devices because functionalities derived from the accommodated guest species in their 1D nanochannels are optimized for the rational direction on the desired substrate for the device fabrication.