Metal-Organic Frameworks-Cold Plasma Technology for Environmental Sustainability: Challenges and Future Perspectives

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials with exceptionally high surface areas (up to 7000 m²/g), tunable pore structures, and versatile chemical functionalities, making them attractive for diverse environmental and industrial applications. Simultaneously, cold plasma, an ionized, low-temperature gas enriched with reactive species, has gained recognition for its environmentally friendly, rapid, and solvent-free processing capabilities, particularly in material synthesis and surface functionalization. Integrating cold plasma with MOFs presents a synergistic approach that enhances material properties and process efficiency. Recent studies have reported up to a 40%-60% increase in surface reactivity, improved catalyst dispersion by 30%, and reduced particle size to below 100 nm through plasma-assisted synthesis. These hybrid systems have demonstrated enhanced performance in areas such as air and water purification (achieving over 90% pollutant removal), carbon capture (exceeding 4 mmol/g CO₂ uptake), energy conversion, and waste-to-resource technologies. Despite their promise, key challenges remain, including scalability, long-term structural integrity, and economic viability. This review also discusses recent advances in MOF design, innovations in plasma engineering, and the potential integration of artificial intelligence to optimize synthesis and functionality. Future perspectives emphasize the importance of green chemistry principles and interdisciplinary collaboration for the development and commercialization of MOF-plasma technologies aimed at sustainable environmental solutions.