Research Information System
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, vol.117, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Controlling the optical and structural properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which have emerged as highly promising materials for a variety of applications in recent decades, is a challenging task that may increase their application possibilities. Thus, we examined the impact of thermal annealing at temperatures between 100 °C and 400 °C, along with silver (Ag) and silver nanoparticle (AgNP) doping, on the optical and structural characteristics of MOF thin films. For this aim, we prepared 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate-containing metal-organic framework (UiO-66-PDC) and converted it to Ag+ (UiO-66-PDC-Ag) and AgNP (UiO-66-PDC-AgNP) containing MOFs. Afterwards, we prepared thin films of these MOFs using the spin coating technique. The SEM images showed a decrease in the grain sizes of UiO-66-PDC thin film and a disruption of the uniform structure with increasing annealing temperature. The average reflection values of UiO-66-PDC thin films decreased from 31.58% (at 100 °C) to 23.85% (at 400 °C). In addition, the band gap values calculated by the Tauc method are 2.85 eV, 2.77 eV, 2.62 eV, and 2.58 eV at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, and 400 °C for UiO-66-PDC, respectively. The band gap values at 100 °C were determined as 2.62 eV for the UiO-66-PDC-Ag film and 2.05 eV for the UiO-66-PDC-AgNP film. Consequently, Ag and AgNP dopants had an adverse effect on the optical properties of MOF thin films. However, lower band gaps were observed, which is crucial for catalytic processes.