Due to their precisely modifiable
microporosity and chemical functionality,
Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have revolutionized catalysis,
separations, gas storage, drug delivery, and sensors. However, because
of their rigid and brittle powder morphology, it is challenging to build customizable MOF shapes with
tunable mechanical properties. Here, we describe a new three-dimensional
(3D) printing approach to create stretchable and tough MOF hydrogel
structures with tunable mechanical properties. We formulate a printable
ink by combining prepolymers of a versatile double network (DN) hydrogel
of acrylamide and alginate, a shear-thinning agent, and MOF ligands.
Importantly, by simultaneous cross-linking of alginate and in situ growth of the HKUST-1 using copper ions, we are
able to create composites with high MOF dispersity in the DN hydrogel
matrix with high pore accessibility. We extensively characterize the
inks and uncover parameters to tune modulus, strength, and toughness
of the 3D prints. We also demonstrate the excellent performance of
the MOF hydrogels for dye absorption. Our approach incorporates all
of the advantageous attributes of 3D printing while offering a rational
approach to merge stretchable hydrogels and MOFs, and our findings
are of broad relevance to wearables, implantable and flexible sensors,
chemical separations, and soft robotics.