Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs): A review of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection

This research presents a systematic review of the application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, compounds with high vapor pressure at ambient temperature and normal pressure, are widely present in a variety of industrial and living environments. VOCs are not only hazardous to the environment but also have a severe impact on human health. Therefore, an excellent research interest is developing efficient and sensitive detection technologies for VOCs. In this article, we first introduce the definition and classification of VOCs and their sources and discuss the environmental and health hazards of VOCs. Then, the discussion focuses on various sensors based on MOFs, including electrochemical sensors, fluorescence sensors, colorimetric sensors, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors. In electrochemical detection, MOFs, as sensing materials, exhibit good detection performance due to their ultra-large surface area and highly adjustable pore size structure. In fluorescence detection, MOFs achieve high sensitivity and selective detection of VOCs under their unique optical properties. Colorimetric sensors, on the other hand, achieve the detection of VOCs through color change, which has the advantages of low cost and easy operation. In contrast, SERS sensors utilize the high surface area of MOFs and specific Raman enhancement effect to achieve ultra-high sensitivity detection of VOCs, which is especially suitable for trace analysis. Immediately after that, we describe the research progress of various sensors for VOCs detection and analyze their detection mechanisms and application prospects. Finally, the MOFs-based VOCs detection technology is summarized, and the current challenges and future development directions are pointed out.