An Ultrahydrophobic Fluorous Metal-Organic Framework Derived Recyclable Composite as a Promising Platform to Tackle Marine Oil Spills

Derived from a strategically chosen hexafluorinated dicarboxylate linker aimed at the designed synthesis of a superhydrophobic metal–organic framework (MOF), the fluorine‐rich nanospace of a water‐stable MOF (UHMOF‐100) exhibits excellent water‐repellent features. It registered the highest water contact angle (≈176°) in the MOF domain, marking the first example of an ultrahydrophobic MOF. Various experimental and theoretical studies reinforce its distinctive water‐repellent characteristics, and the conjugation of superoleophilicity and unparalleled hydrophobicity of a MOF material has been coherently exploited to achieve real‐time oil/water separation in recyclable membrane form, with significant absorption capacity performance. This is also the first report of an oil/water separating fluorinated ultrahydrophobic MOF‐based membrane material, with potential promise for tackling marine oil spillages. Permission to pass through: Based on a linker pre‐functionalization synthetic rationale, a fluorinated‐linker‐derived metal–organic framework (MOF; UHMOF‐100) exhibits unprecedented water repellent characteristics with signature ultrahydrophobic traits. This MOF is used to fabricate a reusable and recyclable membrane material capable of separating oil and water, from a mixture (see figure).