Morphological and structural characterization of (Ag, Au, Pt)Np@MOF-74 composites

Decoration of ZnMOF-74 crystals by metallic nanoparticles was obtained via photoreduction of different metal precursors (Pt, Ag, Au) under UV light exposure in an aqueous solution. The effect of the concentration of metallic precursors on the decoration process ( named here for UVI and UVII for low and high concentration, respectively) was investigated and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, revealing the rearrangement of the structure on the surface of crystals when decorated in high concertation of metallic precursors. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the 3D structural integrity and maintenance of crystallinity of ZnMOF-74 crystals during the decoration process. HR-TEM images showed the decoration of ZnMOF-74 crystals by metallic nanoparticles with a diameter between 2.4 and 9.8 nm.