Functionalization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Photoactive Materials

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are intriguing platforms with multiple functionalities. Additional functionalization of MOFs generates novel materials for various applications. Here, three main topics are examined regarding the functionalization of MOFs for use as photoactive materials. The first is chemical approaches for postsynthetic modification of the metal clusters and organic linkers in MOFs; that is, sites on pore surfaces and chemical trapping of photoactive moieties within the pores, which create materials with chemical functionalities for water splitting and CO₂ reduction by light. The second topic focuses on the functionalization of MOFs for photochemical response and the versatile applications of such materials. State-of-the-art research on functionalizing MOFs through photochemical reactions on the pore surface and within the pores as guests is also summarized. The third topic introduces the functionalization of MOFs for photofunctional materials, including photoluminescent tuning and integration, photoluminescent LED devices and barcodes, and photophysical applications for chemical sensing. Finally, conclusions and perspectives on the fields are given.

Keywords: metal-organic frameworks; photoactive materials; photochemistry; photoluminescent sensing; solar fuel production.