Carboxymethyl cellulose-metal organic frameworks composites: From synthesis to applications

The integration of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with sustainable polymer matrices has emerged as an effective strategy for developing multifunctional composites with improved stability and practical applicability. Among biomass-derived polymers, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has attracted increasing attention due to its low cost, excellent processability, water solubility, and abundant functional groups, making it an ideal platform for constructing MOF-based composites. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in CMC-MOF composites, with particular emphasis on their design principles and functional applications. The fundamental characteristics of CMC and MOFs relevant to composite formation are first introduced. Subsequently, fabrication strategies, including in-situ growth and ex-situ assembly, are systematically discussed, with emphasis on interfacial interactions and structural regulation. The diverse structural forms of these composites, such as hydrogels, membranes, aerogels, and beads, are also summarized. Importantly, the relationships between material structure, physicochemical properties, and application performance are highlighted to guide rational design. Emerging applications in environmental remediation, biomedicine, sensing, and energy are discussed, along with current challenges and future perspectives.