Relating structural disorder and melting in complex mixed ligand zeolitic imidazolate framework glasses

Abstract

We report the formation of zeolitic imidazolate framework glasses incorporating three organic linkers, from their corresponding novel crystalline structures [Zn(Im_2−x−ybIm_xmbIm_y)]. Structure–property relationships between chemical compositions and thermal properties are analysed, in addition to the effect on the nanoscale porosity of the glasses formed. A probabilistic model is used to explain melting and the glass transition temperatures of the obtained glasses and link to the nanoscale structural disorder of their crystalline starting structures.