App-based quantification of crystal phases and amorphous content in ZIF biocomposites.

The performance of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) as protective hosts for proteins in drug delivery or biocatalysis strongly depends on the type of crystalline phase used for the encapsulation of the biomacromolecule (biomacromolecule@ZIF). Therefore, quantifying the different crystal phases and the amount of amorphous content of ZIFs is becoming increasingly important for a better understanding of the structure-property relationship. Typically, crystalline ZIF phases are qualitatively identified from diffraction patterns.

Fatty acids as biomimetic replication agents for luminescent metal-organic framework patterns.

Luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are known to spontaneously self-assemble on human fingerprints. Here, we investigate the different chemical components of fingerprints and determine that MOF growth is predominantly induced by insoluble fatty acids. This finding shows that these simple biomolecules can be employed for the precise positioning of luminescent MOFs.