Label-free visualization of heterogeneities and defects in metal–organic frameworks using nonlinear optics

Abstract

Defects influence the properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), such as their storage amount and the diffusion kinetics of gas molecules. However, the spatial distribution of defects is still poorly understood due to a lack of visualization methods. Here, we present a new method using nonlinear optics (NLO) that allows the visualization of defects within MOFs.