Functionalization of Metal-Organic Frameworks with Controllable Wettability

The ability to predictably tune the properties of a material expands the overall usefulness, leading to enhanced functionality for target-specific applications. Hybrid materials are comprised of two or more constituents and inherently possess a high degree of tunability attributable to the ability to manipulate each individual component. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a distinct class of organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials with intricate porous networks. The unique chemical environments at the pore sites has led to the investigation of MOFs for applications such as gas adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, electronics, and luminescence.

Wettability is a characteristic that attracts significant attention in the practical applicability of materials, including MOFs. Engineering the wettability of a material presents a rational, yet complex solution to combat failure related to water absorptivity in biomedical, energy, environmental and industrial systems. The ability to carefully and predictably tune MOF wettability would enhance potential applications and provide a material with controllable desired characteristics.