Development of Water-Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks for Oil-Water Separation and Toxic Chemical Sensing

Abstract

This thesis explores the development and application of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for environmental and sensing applications across five chapters. Chapter 1 presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution, synthesis strategies, and tunable properties of MOFs, emphasizing their utility in catalysis, gas storage, sensing, and environmental remediation. Chapter 2 details the synthesis of a hydrophobic Hf-based MOF (DUT-52 type) and its integration with polypropylene fabric, yielding a superhydrophobic, self-cleaning composite capable of efficiently separating oil from water under diverse conditions. Chapter 3 introduces an eco-friendly, fluorine-free Zr-UiO-66-based MOF composite and membrane, demonstrating excellent recyclability, high oil absorption capacity, and robust performance in oil-water separation, making them sustainable alternatives for environmental clean-up. Chapter 4 focuses on a luminescent Hf-MOF functionalized with thioureido groups for selective and sensitive dual-analyte detection of Hg²⁺ and hydrazine in aqueous media, offering fast response times and ultralow detection limits. Chapter 5 presents the design of a hydroxy-naphthalene-based luminescent MOF for nanomolar-level detection of the tuberculosis drug rifampicin and the neonicotinoid pesticide nitenpyram in real-world samples, including body fluids, food, soil, and environmental water. Overall, this thesis highlights the versatility of MOFs as advanced materials for targeted environmental remediation and chemical sensing.