Keggin heteropolyacid incorporated Cu(3)(BTC)(2) (BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) thin films were grown on metallic Cu substrates in various solvents at ambient conditions. The Keggin heteropolyacid templated the growth of Cu(3)(BTC)(2) crystals while the Cu substrate served as CO(2+)-ion source. To obtain smooth, homogeneous films the optimal growth conditions found were in an ethanolic solution in contact with ambient air. X-ray diffraction measurements showed a preferred (100) orientation of the Cu(3)(BTC)(2) crystals in ethanol while the use of a water-based solvent yielded a dominating (111) orientation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.