Synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework from Iron Nitrate and 2,6-Naphthalenedicarboxylic Acid and Its Application as Drug Carrier

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly crystalline porous organic–inorganic materials that are comprised of metal salts and organic linkers. The common synthetic methodologies of MOFs include: solvothermal, microwave-assisted, electrochemical, mechanochemical, and sonochemical routes. The synthesized MOF particles can be characterized using several characterization techniques including: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and other analytical techniques. Recently, MOFs have garnered increasing attention due to their potential applications in numerous areas including: catalysis, gas storage and separation, drug delivery, and others. In this research paper, a new metal-organic framework was synthesized successfully from iron nitrate and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1) by means of microwave irradiation (Fe-NDC-M) and (2) solvothermally using a conventional electric oven (Fe-NDC-O). They were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The characterization results showed that the synthesized samples were crystals with a rod-like shape and particle sizes in the nanometer range. As a result, the new Fe-NDC-MOF particles can be used as nanocarriers for drug delivery applications utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention effect.