Facile preparation of continuous indium metal-organic framework thin films on indium tin oxide glass

Continuous indium metal-organic framework thin films of In 12 O(OH) 12 [(OH) 4 ·(H 2 O) 5 )][BTC] 6 (MIL-96(In)) (BTC   =   1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) were prepared on indium tin oxide glass by in situ solvothermal growth method. The structure of the films was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The growth process and the possible growth mechanism of MIL-96(In) films were investigated by a scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the influence of the reaction conditions on the morphology and thickness of films was studied. The best crack-free, continuous film with thickness of approximate 6   μm was obtained at the proper concentrations of InCl 3 and H 3 BTC of 25.0   mmol·l −   1 at 100   °C for 12   h.