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Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have attracted considerable attention for many potential applications because they have a unique porous structure and excellent thermal and chemical stabilities. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop different methods for the controllable synthesis of ZIFs with desirable crystal structure and morphologies, and for decreasing the excessive amounts of organic ligands and solvents used in the synthesis process to reduce the costs and environmental impacts. This paper highlights the strategies recently reported, including the controllable synthesis of ZIFs with desirable morphologies and pore structure using a surfactant and a template in aqueous solution, the synthesis of ZIF particles and nanocrystals in base solution, and the dry gel and mechanochemical syntheses of ZIFs with minimal solvent usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] ZIF-8 prepared from stoichiometric metal and ligand aqueous solutions. [•] The role of ammonium hydroxide for ZIF-8 preparation was discussed. [•] Concentrated precursor solution was used to prepare ZIF-8. [•] Highly thermally stable ZIF-8 crystals with uniform shapes and high surface areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]