Recent trends in superhydrophobic metal−organic frameworks and their diverse applications

Abstract

In the past twenty years, scientists have made significant progress in the development of metal−organic frameworks (MOFs), a special class of materials. To date, over 20,000 MOFs have been prepared, but only around 60 of them are superhydrophobic. These superhydrophobic MOFs are highly sought after because of their unique properties, which include excellent hydrolytic stability, low water affinity, and a highly crystalline framework. As a result, they offer great potential for use in various fields, such as oil-water separation, CO₂ capture in humid conditions, self-cleaning, and catalysis etc. However, the challenge lies in designing and synthesizing superhydrophobic MOFs with a high surface area. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of superhydrophobic MOFs, highlighting the strategy involved in preparing superhydrophobic MOFs and their various characterization techniques. The subsequent conversation concentrates on the most encouraging superhydrophobic MOFs that have been reported, along with their potential applications. The technical aspects of these MOFs were thoroughly scrutinized to offer a comprehensive comprehension of their properties and potential utilization. The applications of superhydrophobic MOFs in diverse fields are summarized. Additionally, the current state of the art is discussed, and the most promising future developments of superhydrophobic MOFs are highlighted.