Transition from ZIF-L-Co to ZIF-67: a new insight into the structural evolution of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) in aqueous systems

A leaf-like ZIF-L-Co is synthesized for the first time and the molar ratio of Hmim/Co plays an important role in the synthesis. ZIF-L-Co is a transient phase at the initial stage of ZIF-67 crystal growth. The crystallization process of ZIF-67 from ZIF-L-Co follows a solid transformation mechanism.