Photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks - design strategies and emerging applications in photocatalysis and adsorption

Stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly versatile porous materials with the ability to respond to different external stimuli, including temperature, pressure, pH, and light. The MOF properties can switch reversibly under specific light irradiation, opening the doors to various applications. This review focuses on design strategies to obtain photo-responsive MOFs, namely (i) encapsulation of photo-switchable molecules as guests in MOF porous structures, (ii) fabrication of MOF composites, (iii) post-synthesis modification, and (iv) synthesis of MOFs with photo-responsive ligands. The most recent reports from the literature are herein reviewed and analyzed in terms of material chemistry and performance. Comparisons between the different strategies are performed and future challenges are discussed. The critical aspect of the fatigue of photo-responsive MOFs applied for prolonged cycling of irradiation is also discussed.

Automated summary

Stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile porous materials that can respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, pH, and light. This review focuses on the design strategies for obtaining photo-responsive MOFs, including the encapsulation of photo-switchable molecules, fabrication of MOF composites, post-synthesis modification, and synthesis of MOFs with photo-responsive ligands. The review analyzes recent literature reports in terms of material chemistry and performance, compares different strategies, discusses future challenges, and addresses the fatigue issue of photo-responsive MOFs in prolonged irradiation cycling.