Engineering Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Electrochemical Interfaces for Sensitive Chemical and Biosensing Applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as a highly promising scaffold for electrochemical sensing due to their unique structural and chemical properties. Comprising metal ions or clusters linked by organic molecules, MOFs possess a large surface area, adjustable pore sizes, and various functional groups, making them valuable for sensitive and selective analyte detection. Recent studies have focused on leveraging these characteristics to enhance electrochemical sensors applicable in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, food safety, and energy systems. MOFs improve electron transfer rates, provide greater active site occupancy, and enhance interactions with target analytes, resulting in increased sensitivity and reduced detection limits. Additionally, MOF-based composites incorporating conductive materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene address the conductivity challenges of pure MOFs. This review outlines the design, synthesis, and functionalization of MOFs for electrochemical sensing, covering sensing mechanisms, electrode modification strategies, practical applications, and the current challenges and future directions for MOF-based sensors in next-generation sensing technologies.