Surfactant-Directed Synthesis of UiO-66-(OH) 2 Nanosheets for Efficient Phosphatase-like Catalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting widespread interest owing to their unique physical and chemical properties. Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are particularly valued for their high specific surface area, intrinsic porosity, and tailorable structure. Nevertheless, the controlled synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets with well-defined structures remains a considerable challenge. In this study, we successfully prepared ultrathin UiO-66-(OH)2 nanosheets with an average thickness of approximately 5 nm by employing a carboxyl-functionalized surfactant. The design of an appropriate surfactant and the precise control of formic acid concentration proved to be crucial parameters for the successful synthesis. The synthesized UiO-66-(OH)2 nanosheets exhibit excellent catalytic performance in the hydrolysis of phosphate substrates, a feature arising from their 2D morphology and highly porous framework. This strategy of using a surfactant to direct the synthesis of 2D UiO-66-(OH)2 nanosheets offers a perspective for the design and synthesis of other 2D MOF nanomaterials.