Growth-Controlled Formation of Porous Coordination Polymer Particles

Diversely shaped porous coordination polymer particles (CPPs) were synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) and In(NO3)(3)center dot xH(2)O in DMF. The growth of crystalline CPPs was controlled through a particle growth blocking event involving blocking agent interaction with particular facets of CPPs and simultaneous particle growth interruption in a specific direction. Systematic reactions in the presence of various amounts of pyridine as a blocking agent were conducted to see the controlled CPP formation. Long rod, short rod, lump, and disk-shaped CPPs with hexagonal faces resulted in the presence of none, 1 equiv, 2 equiv, and 25 equiv of pyridine, respectively. The ultimate particle shape produced depends upon the amount of blocking agents used.