Synthesis and gas adsorption properties of mesoporous silica-NH2-MIL-53(Al) core–shell spheres

• Ordered mesoporous silica-NH2-MIL-53(Al) core–shell spheres of about 4 μm in diameter.
• Synthesis by seeding the mesoporous silica spheres with crystals of NH2-MIL-53(Al) and secondary crystal growth.
• Characterization by SEM, TGA, EDX, XRD and N2 adsorption.
• Breathing behavior of the microporous NH2-MIL-53(Al) shell observed by CO2 adsorption.

Ordered mesoporous silica-NH2-MIL-53(Al) core–shell spheres of about 4 μm in diameter have been synthesized by seeding the corresponding mesoporous silica spheres (MSSs) with crystals of NH2-MIL-53(Al) and subsequent secondary crystal growth into a MOF shell. The morphology of the particles was analyzed by SEM, while TGA, EDX and XRD characterizations gave information on the composition and structure of this material and the activation of the MOF. N2 adsorption analysis revealed that the NH2-MIL-53(Al) shell controlled the access of guest molecules into the hydrophilic silica mesoporous structure, while the breathing behavior of the microporous NH2-MIL-53(Al) shell was confirmed by CO2 adsorption isotherms.

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