Alternative synthetic approaches for metal-organic frameworks: transformation from solid matters

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing economical and sustainable synthetic strategies for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is crucial for their industrial adoption.
• Traditional MOF synthesis relies heavily on soluble metal salts, posing challenges for large-scale applications.
• Recent advancements explore using solvent-insoluble solid materials as precursors, offering a greener alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest developments in MOF synthesis using solvent-insoluble solid matters.
• To highlight the current state-of-the-art in this rapidly evolving field.
• To provide an outlook on future research directions for solid-to-MOF transformations.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing solvent-insoluble "solid matters" (e.g., metals, metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates) as cation reservoirs and/or templates.
• Employing solid-to-MOF transformation strategies for MOF synthesis.
• Reviewing literature on synthesis, functionalization, positioning, and applications of MOFs derived from solid precursors.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of various MOFs in powder, thin-film, and membrane forms via solid-to-MOF transformations.
• Demonstration of remarkable achievements in MOF synthesis, functionalization, and application development using this novel approach.
• Significant increase in scientific publications related to this field over the past few years, indicating rapid growth.

Conclusions:

• The use of solvent-insoluble solid matters represents a promising and sustainable strategy for MOF synthesis.
• This approach facilitates the large-scale production and industrial utilization of MOF materials.
• Continued research in solid-to-MOF transformations is expected to drive further innovation in MOF science and applications.