Photoresponsive porous materials

Molecular machines, switches, and motors enable control over nanoscale molecular motion with unprecedented precision in artificial systems. Integration of these compounds into robust material scaffolds, in particular nanostructured solids, is a fabrication strategy for smart materials with unique properties that can be controlled with external stimuli. Here, we describe a subclass of these structures, namely light-responsive porous materials metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), and porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) appended with molecular photoswitches. In this review, we provide an overview of a broad range of light-responsive porous materials focusing on potential applications.

Automated summary

Molecular machines, switches, and motors allow precise control of nanoscale molecular motion in artificial systems. Integrating these compounds into robust material scaffolds is a strategy for producing smart materials with unique properties. This review focuses on a subclass of structures, namely light-responsive porous materials, and their potential applications.