MOF‐on‐MOF: Oriented Growth of Multiple Layered Thin Films of Metal–Organic Frameworks

 Herein we report the precise alignment of multiple layers of metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films, or MOF-on-MOF films, over macroscopic length scales. The MOF-on-MOF films are fabricated by epitaxially matching the interface of each layer. The first MOF layer (Cu2(BPDC)2, BPDC = biphenyl-4,4’-dicarboxylate) is grown on an oriented metal hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) film, that acts as a sacrificial substrate, via a ‘one-pot‘ approach. Aligned second (Cu2(BDC)2, BDC = benzene 1,4-dicarboxylate, or Cu2(BPYDC)2, BPYDC = 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate) and third (Cu2(NDC)2, NDC = naphthalene 2,6-dicarboxylate) MOF layers can be deposited using LPE (liquid phase epitaxy).