Mussel-inspired durable superhydrophobic/superoleophilic MOF-PU sponge with high chemical stability, efficient oil/water separation and excellent anti-icing properties

The discharge of oily wastewaters is one of the major challenges in recent years due to its significant threat to the environment and human health. Herein, we prepared durable superhydrophobic/superoleophilic polyurethane (PU) sponge by decorating UiO-66-(COOH)2 MOF nanoparticles via self-polymerization of dopamine and chemically modifying with low surface energy materials. Owing to the high mechanical and chemical stability of UiO-66-(COOH)2 MOF nanoparticles, the MOF-PU sponge exhibits excellent chemical stability, thermal stability and mechanical durability in terms of being immersed in the corrosive mixtures and the boiling water, and the sandpaper abrasion tests, respectively. The MOF-PU sponge can absorb oils (or organic solvents) ranging from 29 to 56 times of its own weight, and shows an excellent separation efficiency for more than 96% even after 15 cycles. Besides, the MOF-PU sponge exhibits excellent anti-icing property with the icing delay time as long as 2040 s at − 15 ± 1 ℃. Thus, the MOF-PU sponge with above excellent properties has a great potential use in the practical application of efficient oil/water separation in the harsh environments.