Royal Society of Chemistry, Journal of Materials Chemistry C Materials for optical and electronic devices, 46(1), p. 7716
DOI: 10.1039/c3tc31039f
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We report the mechanical properties investigation of metal-organic framework thin-film coatings grown with an electrochemical method, which allows fast depositions in environmentally friendly solvents. For the first time Cu(CHDA) and Cu(INA)2 are electrochemically synthesised as dense coatings on Cu-electrodes, alongside the well-known Cu3(BTC)2. In order to probe the mechanical behaviour of the MOF coatings, both nanoindentation and scratch experiments are performed. The indentation of a polycrystalline film allows the determination of average Young's moduli and hardness of the coatings. Cu(CHDA) exhibits the largest stiffness and hardness properties, with values of 10.9 GPa and 0.46 GPa respectively. Intermediate values are obtained for the well-known Cu3(BTC)2 and the smallest values for Cu(INA)2. A close inspection of the crystal lattice of the MOF materials under investigation, allows for correlating mechanical properties and structural building units of these materials. Furthermore, the effect of the fundamental mechanical properties of MOF films on their scratch and wear resistance is illustrated.