Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous crystalline materials showing great potential for applications such as catalysis, gas storage, molecular separations, energy storage and drug delivery. The properties that render them interesting stem from their structure (e.g. morphology, porosity or metal coordination and geometry). Thus, gaining a deeper understanding strongly relies on the availability and adequate use of advanced characterization tools, which can interrogate MOFs under realistic synthesis as well as catalysis (or sorption) conditions. Herein, we present an overview of the various characterization techniques specifically suitable for the study on the underlying chemistry of the formation mechanisms and adsorption properties of three archetypal MOFs, namely MIL-100, ZIF-8 and HKUST-1. A section on using MOFs as supports for metal atoms or complexes that can be used for catalysis on the robust Zr₆ nodes of UiO-66 or NU-1000, and the characterization techniques used thereof, is presented as well. In addition, we discuss recent developments on the application of nano-spectroscopic characterization for MOF thin-films and explore the potential of MOFs as model systems in catalysis. The conclusions and outlook provide future research possibilities in the field of MOF characterization.

中文翻译：

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原型MOF的光谱，显微镜，衍射和散射：形成，催化作用中的金属位点和薄膜。

金属有机骨架（MOF）是一类多孔晶体材料，在催化，气体存储，分子分离，能量存储和药物输送等应用中显示出巨大的潜力。使它们有趣的属性源于其结构（例如形态，孔隙率或金属配位和几何形状）。因此，获得更深入的了解在很大程度上取决于高级表征工具的可用性和适当使用，这些工​​具可以在现实的合成以及催化（或吸附）条件下询问MOF。本文中，我们概述了各种表征技术，这些技术特别适用于研究三种原型MOF（MIL-100，ZIF-8和HKUST-1）的形成机理和吸附特性的基础化学。关于使用MOF用作金属原子或络合物的载体的部分，可用于在坚固的Zr ₆上催化还介绍了UiO-66或NU-1000的两个节点及其使用的表征技术。此外，我们讨论了纳米光谱表征在MOF薄膜上的应用的最新进展，并探讨了MOF作为催化模型系统的潜力。结论和展望为MOF表征领域提供了未来的研究可能性。