Conversion of solid Cu2(OH)2CO3 into HKUST-1 metal-organic frameworks: Toward an under-liquid superamphiphobic surface

Abstract

Abstract The economic and green synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is of great significance. In this work, a facile method for preparing HKUST-1 MOFs at room temperature with insoluble Cu2(OH)2CO3 particles and film as the precursors was developed. The as-prepared HKUST-1 MOFs were characterized by using the XRD, Raman spectrum, FTIR, XPS and N2 adsorption-desorption analyses, and the wetting property of the HKUST-1 film was also evaluated. The results demonstrated that the MOF film decorated copper mesh possesses the promising underwater superoleophobicity and underoil superhydrophobicity, with the contact angles of non-wetting liquids larger than 150°. The on-demand oil/water separation was subsequently realized through a prewetting method, obtaining the high separation efficiency up to 97%. The facile route by using solid precursors developed in this work might provide a new strategy for preparing MOFs, and the special wetting properties of the as-prepared materials could enrich the applications of MOF films as well.