In situ growth of ZIF-8 into solid-state nanochannels

A composite structure was constructed by in situ growth of ZIF-8 [Zn(MeIm) 2 , Melm = 2-methylimidazole] on the channels of anodized alumina oxide (AAO) membrane. The evolution of ZIF-8 MOF growing in situ crystallization in AAO nanochannels, can be divided into three stages through the observation at different time points. The reducing of the transmembrane ionic current can confirm the corresponding growth stage with the corresponding size of ZIF-8 nanocrystals . The method is applicable to modify ZIF-8 in AAO nanochannels of various diameters ranging from 71 ± 8 nm to 317 ± 36 nm, with the corresponding size of ZIF-8 ranging from 58 ± 8 nm to 272 ± 24 nm. The approach supplies a new composite nanopore material which can be utilized to the study of molecule–ZIF interaction.