Controlled self-assembly of metal-organic frameworks on metal nanoparticles for efficient synthesis of hybrid nanostructures

We report a novel approach for synthesizing inorganic nanoparticle/metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) heterostructured nanocomposites by self-assembly of MOFs on nanoparticles. This approach involves the synthesis of Au nanoparticles and preferential growth of Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) frameworks consisting of Cu(2+) ions and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (btc) on nanoparticles. Aggregates consisting of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)-stabilized Au nanoparticles linked by Cu(2+) ions were necessary for preferential self-assembly of Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) frameworks on the aggregates, resulting in the formation of Au nanoparticles/Cu(3)(btc)(2)](n) nanocomposites. The present approach was confirmed to be applicable for other hybrids consisting of Au nanoparticles and tetragonal Cu(2)(ndc)(2)(dabco)](n) frameworks.