Assembly of Metal–Phenolic Networks on Water-Soluble Substrates in Nonaqueous Media

Abstract

Interfacial modular assemblies of eco-friendly metal–phenolic networks (MPNs) are of interest for surface and materials engineering. To date, most MPNs are assembled on water-stable substrates; however, the self-assembly of MPNs on highly water-soluble substrates remains unexplored. Herein, a versatile approach is reported to engineer thickness-tunable coatings (2–25 μm) on a water-soluble substrate (i.e., urea) via the self-assembly of MPNs in a nonaqueous solvent (i.e., acetonitrile). The coordination-driven assembly of the MPN coatings in the nonaqueous solvent is distinct from that in aqueous systems, as the assembly is only achieved following the addition of urea granules into the iron–..