Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks are materials that can be used for gas adsorption and separation, catalysis, water harvesting and drug delivery. As part of my master's thesis, I synthesized three ZIFs using nickel, cobalt, zinc, and 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde. By varying different synthesis parameters (reagent ratios, reaction duration, reaction temperature, addition of base, solvent change), I determined how each of them affects the synthesis itself and the formation of crystals. I characterized all three frameworks using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy and compared how the choice of metal influences their properties in the adsorption of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water. I tried the synthesis with copper, which did not result in the formation of a ZIF, but rather an unknown compound. An unknown compound also formed during adjustments to the zinc synthesis, which is known to form two existing frameworks: ZIF-93 and ZIF-94. I characterized the unknown zinc-based ZIF and compared its properties with the two known frameworks.
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