Multi-functional MOF-derived magnetic carbon sponge

Abstract

Carbon sponges/foams are important supports for developing various functional devices. While post modifications are commonly adopted to decorate carbon sponges with certain fine particles, one-step carbonization of 3D organic templates assembled with micro/nanoscale components appears to be a rapid, convenient and scalable technique to obtain functional carbon sponges. By selecting specific micro/nanoscale components, certain chemical and morphological properties of functional carbon sponges can be designed and obtained. Here, we demonstrate this concept by carbonizing a self-assembly of metal organic frameworks and melamine sponge to yield a MOF-derived magnetic carbon sponge (MCS), which exhibits macroporous properties from carbon sponge, and nanoscale porosity and catalytic sites derived from the immobilized MOFs. As the cobalt-based ZIF-67 was selected as a representative MOF in this study, the resulting magnetic carbon sponge exhibited promising capabilities for separation of floating oil from water, removal of oil droplets from oil/water emulsions, environmental catalysis and catalytic H₂ production. We anticipate that this preparation strategy can be expanded by adopting various types of MOFs and organic templates to develop versatile 3D hierarchical carbon materials for various applications.