Recent advances of metal-organic charge-transfer (CT) photothermal complexes: design, syntheses, and applications

Metal-organic charge-transfer (CT) complexes that integrate both CT features and metal-organic framework (MOF) properties have been regarded as promising candidates for high-performance photothermal conversion. Great efforts have recently been devoted to rationally designing and finely preparing the desired metal-organic CT complexes, but the corresponding systematic summarization and analysis are rare. Herein, we introduce recent progress in photothermal metal-organic CT complexes from their fine synthesis and unique crystalline structure to optoelectronic applications. First, the structural characteristics, performance regulation mechanisms, and structure-property relationships are elaborated in detail. Then, their corresponding application progresses, including in phototherapy, seawater desalination, and catalysis, are summarized. Finally, the current research challenges in the precise fabrication of metal-organic CT complexes and their future development are prospected, providing a valuable reference for subsequent studies in this field.