A Versatile and Facile Surface Modification Route Based on Polydopamine for the Growth of MOF Films on Different Substrates

Thin MOF-5 films were grown from various substrates, which were modified by polydopamine - a bio-inspired multi-functional coating. A MOF-5 mother solution was used. These supports included polypropylene (PP) fibrous membranes, PP porous membranes, and aluminum foils. SEM and XRD were used to characterize the prepared MOF films. The unmodified substrates did not support the growth of MOF films with MOF particles sparsely scattered on the surfaces. In contrast, the polydopamine-modified substrates were fully covered with a dense layer of MOF crystals. Polydopamine was proven to be very useful in the surface modification that facilitated the growth of MOF films on the substrate materials.