Vapor Deposited Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Derived from Porous ZnO Thin Films

In recent years, the vapor deposition of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has gained high attraction due to its good scalability, conformality, and thickness control. The present study provides new fundamental insights regarding ZIF-8 from zinc oxide (ZnO). During synthesis, ZnO thin films with different percentages open porosity (14.5%–24%) were subjected a 2-methylimidazole for conversion times (20 min–24 h). For first time, impact onto converted is investigated. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction reveals randomly oriented crystallites ZIF-8, which already appear after 20 min conversion. thickness, roughness, average particle height layers increase reaching values up (172 ± 20) nm, (29 3) (113 8) respectively, obtained 14.5% porosity. At long (i.e., 24 h), results hint at greater precursor porosities resulting in lower thicknesses as 24%-porous show (132 (25 nm (80 respectively. Additionally, potential photocatalyst degradation organic dye methylene blue was studied. enhances by approximately 8% when compared without photocatalyst.