The solvent-free mechanical milling process for two distinct metal-organic framework (MOF) crystals induced the formation of a solid solution, which is not feasible by conventional solution-based syntheses. X-ray and STEM-EDX studies revealed that performing mechanical milling under an Ar atmosphere promotes the high diffusivity of each metal ion in an amorphous solid matrix; the amorphous state turns into the porous crystalline structure by vapor exposure treatment to form a new phase of a MOF solid solution.
Keywords: alloys; amorphous phases; ball milling; metal-organic frameworks; solid solutions.
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