ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Mild, fast and solvent-driven room-temperature synthesis of lamellar Zn₂(bim)₄

David M. Wolf, Julia L. Wolter, Louis Winnubst, Nantje Kügler, Arian Nijmeijer, Wilhelm A. Meulenberg, and Marie-Alix Pizzoccaro-Zilamy

Institute of Energy Materials and Devices (IMD2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

E-mail: m.pizzoccaro@fz-juelich.de

Received: 15 December 2025  Accepted: 12 July 2026

Abstract:

A rapid, additive-free, and environmentally friendly synthesis of the two-dimensional metal–organic framework Zn₂(bim)₄ (ZIF-7-III) is achieved in a variety of green solvents. The reaction proceeds rapidly within 10 min at room temperature, eliminating the need for additives, elevated temperatures, or toxic solvents. Lamellar Zn₂(bim)₄ was obtained in water, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanol, acetone and selected solvent mixtures. The produced metal–organic framework was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal a pronounced solvent-dependent influence on both product yield and particle morphology. Water affords the highest yield (55%) and spherical particles, whereas alcohols and acetone favor the formation of plate- to disc-like morphologies. Notably, the synthesis and all subsequent washing steps were performed using non-toxic solvents, aligning the process with green chemistry principles. This work establishes a fast, energy-efficient, and sustainable route for producing lamellar Zn₂(bim)₄, highlighting solvent choice as a key parameter for controlling material properties for various applications.

Keywords: Zn2(bim)4; Solvent-dependent morphology; Green synthesis; Room-temperature MOF synthesis

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05335-x

Chemical Papers 80 (10) 12485–12490 (2026)