Advances in plasmonic-based MOF composites, their bio-applications, and perspectives in this field

Nanomaterials have been used for bio-applications since the late twentieth century. In an attempt to tailor and optimize their properties, and by extension their efficiency, composites have attracted considerable attention. In this regard, recent studies on plasmonic nanoparticles and metal-organic framework (NP@MOF) composites suggest that these materials show great promise in this field.

This review focused on the more recent scientific advances in the synthetic strategies to optimize plasmonic MOF nanocomposites currently available, as well as their bio-application, particularly as biosensors and in therapy.

Plasmonic MOF nanocomposites have shown a great potential as they combine the properties of both materials with proven efficiency in bio-application. On the one hand, nanoMOFs have proven their potential particularly as drug nanocarriers, owing to their exceptional porosity and tunability. On the other hand, plasmonic nanoparticles have been an asset for imaging and phototherapy. Different strategies have been reported to develop these nanocomposites, mainly including core-shell, encapsulation, and in situ reduction. In addition, advanced composite structures should be considered, such as mixed metal nanoparticles, hollow structures, or the combination of several approaches. Specifically, plasmonic MOF nanocomposites prove to be attractive stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems, phototherapeutic agents, and highly sensitive biosensors. [Figure: see text].