Formation of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks‐8 (ZIF‐8) Using Microwave Assisted Hydrothermal Technique

Abstract Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks‐8 (ZIF‐8) have emerged as a promising class of porous Metal‐Organic Framework materials with a wide range of applications due to their tunable characteristics. This study presents the synthesis of ZIF‐8 using the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method in an aqueous solution to investigate the efficiency and characteristics of ZIF‐8. The synthesis process involves a 15 min microwave irradiation at 180 °C with a mixture of zinc nitrate solution with 2‐methyl imidazole in deionized water with triethylamine. The rapid synthesis yields pure ZIF‐8 crystals, as validated by X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and Fourier‐Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The formation of ZIF‐8 displays two distinct crystal shapes, with an average size of 0.510 µm, a direct band gap of 4.94 eV as well a BET surface area of 1652.06 m 2 g −1 . The high‐quality ZIF‐8 produced is ideal for catalysis, gas separation, and other applications, suitable for commercial‐scale production.