Synthesis of Nanoparticles of Hybrid Frameworks using Hydrothermal and Emulsion Methods

Research in the field of hybrid frameworks has become increasingly important because of the applications in separations, ion-exchange, catalysis and especially gas storage. By preparing nanoparticles of frameworks utilizing hydrothermal and emulsion methods, we plan to explore changes in their properties. The emulsion method offers a way to create nanoparticles using a dispersed water phase in oil with surfactants at the interface to create droplets which physically direct the formation of particles. The hydrothermal method provides the temperature and pressure environment in which hybrid frameworks can form. By combining the two methods, heating emulsions under hydrothermal conditions, we hope to produce hybrid framework nanoparticles. We focused our research on the 1,2,4-triazolate ligand combined with a number of different metal salts including zinc acetate, cobalt acetate, and nickel acetate in different conditions using the hydrothermal method to produce single crystals of new hybrid frameworks. We were also able to prepare ~100nm particles of Co 3O 4 using an inverse emulsion with the surfactants Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Currently, we are working to combine the methods to form framework nanoparticles.