Introduction of metal precursors by electrodeposition for the in situ growth of metal-organic framework membranes on porous metal substrates

Abstract

We report here a facile and efficient electrodeposition method to modify inexpensive porous stainless-steel nets for use as substrates in the in situ growth of metal-organic framework membranes, such as ZIF-8, ZIF-67 and HKUST-1. Using this method, different metal precursors can be electrodeposited depending on the central metals required in the target metal-organic frameworks. The inorganic modifiers prepared by this approach are sufficiently reactive for the one-step growth of continuous metal-organic framework membranes; their reactivity is comparable with that of organic functional groups. The procedure is also green and cost-effective, which is promising for use in large-scale production.