Wettability's influence on MOF membranes for oil/water separation: A review

Abstract The efficient separation of oil and water is crucial for environmental protection and resource management. Due to tunable structures and functionalities, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising membrane‐based oil/water separation materials. This review explores the significant influence of wettability on the performance of MOF membranes in this application. We examine three primary categories: hydrophilic/oleophobic, hydrophobic/lipophilic, and switchable wettability MOF membranes, detailing their synthesis, separation mechanisms, and performance characteristics. The analysis reveals that while all three types can achieve high separation efficiencies, hydrophilic/oleophobic membranes often exhibit superior flux. A key challenge is membrane fouling, and strategies for regeneration and self‐cleaning, particularly those leveraging switchable wettability, are discussed. This review highlights wettability's importance in dictating MOF membranes' performance for oil/water separation. It identifies key areas for future research to enhance membrane stability, scalability, and effectiveness in addressing real‐world water purification challenges.