3.5 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis
Scanning electron microscopy analysis is commonly used to describe the morphology of metalorganic frameworks. These microscopic images show the outer geometry of the shape, dispersion and mixing of phases. As can be seen in the figure (8), the synthesized NiFe2O4@SiO2@HKUST-1 metal-organic framework has an almost rod-like morphology so that the nickel ferrite nanoparticles in the silica substrate coalesce to form a rod-like structure.
During synthesis, the copper-containing metal-organic framework may form homogeneously around the nickel ferrite particles in the silica bed. At the highest image resolution, the presence of some pours of these metal-organic frames is visible, which is a feature of these metal-organic frameworks. These particles are similar to synthesized nanocomposites (Cu/Ni-MOF) [57-59]. Thus, the observed morphology of the synthesized metal-organic framework can confirm that the synthesized nanocomposites may have the desired properties.
Fig (8): SEM image of synthesized NiFe2O4@SiO2@HKUST-1 metal-organic framework, a) 10%, b) 30% and c) 50% d) close view, e) cross section view.