Hybridization of MOFs and COFs: A New Strategy for Construction of MOF@COF Core–Shell Hybrid Materials

The exploration of new porous hybrid materials is of great importance because of their unique properties and promising applications in separation of materials, catalysis, etc. Herein, for the first time, by integration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a new type of MOF@COF core–shell hybrid material, i.e., NH₂‐MIL‐68@TPA‐COF, with high crystallinity and hierarchical pore structure, is synthesized. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained NH₂‐MIL‐68@TPA‐COF hybrid material is used as an effective visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B. The synthetic strategy in this study opens up a new avenue for the construction of other MOF–COF hybrid materials, which could have various promising applications.     

Multifunctional Nanoparticle@MOF Core–Shell Nanostructures

Controllable integration of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is leading to the creation of many new multifunctional materials. In this Research News, an emerging type of core–shell nanostructure, in which the inorganic NP cores are encapsulated by the MOF shells, is briefly introduced. Unique functions originating from the property synergies of different types of inorganic NP cores and MOF shells are highlighted, and insight into their future development is suggested. It is highly expected that this Research News could arouse research enthusiasm on such NP@MOF core–shell nanostructures, which have great application potential in devices, energy, the environment, and medicine.     

Bottom‐Up Fabrication of Semiconductive Metal–Organic Framework Ultrathin Films

Though generally considered insulating, recent progress on the discovery of conductive porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) offers new opportunities for their integration as electroactive components in electronic devices. Compared to classical semiconductors, these metal–organic hybrids combine the crystallinity of inorganic materials with easier chemical functionalization and processability. Still, future development depends on the ability to produce high‐quality films with fine control over their orientation, crystallinity, homogeneity, and thickness. Here self‐assembled monolayer substrate modification and bottom‐up techniques are used to produce preferentially oriented, ultrathin, conductive films of Cu‐CAT‐1. The approach permits to fabricate and study the electrical response of MOF‐based devices incorporating the thinnest MOF film reported thus far (10 nm thick).     

Microstructural Engineering and Architectural Design of Metal–Organic Framework Membranes

In the past decade, a huge development in rational design, synthesis, and application of molecular sieve membranes, which typically included zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and graphene oxides, has been witnessed. Owing to high flexibility in both pore apertures and functionality, MOFs in the form of membranes have offered unprecedented opportunities for energy‐efficient gas separations. Reports on the fabrication of well‐intergrown MOF membranes first appeared in 2009. Since then there has been tremendous growth in this area along with an exponential increase of MOF‐membrane‐related publications. In order to compete with other separation and purification technologies, like cryogenic distillation, pressure swing adsorption, and chemical absorption, separation performance (including permeability, selectivity, and long‐term stability) of molecular sieve membranes must be further improved in an attempt to reach an economically attractive region. Therefore, microstructural engineering and architectural design of MOF membranes at mesoscopic and microscopic levels become indispensable. This review summarizes some intriguing research that may potentially contribute to large‐scale applications of MOF membranes in the future.     

Kinetic‐Controlled Formation of Bimetallic Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid Structures

Heterometallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed from two or more kinds of metal ions, while still remaining their original topologies. Due to distinct reaction kinetics during MOF formation, partial distribution of different metals within a single MOF crystal can lead to sophisticated heterogeneous nanostructures. Here, this study reports an investigation of reaction kinetics for different metal ions in a bimetallic MOF system, the ZIF‐8/67 (M(2‐mIM)₂, M = Zn for ZIF‐8, and Co for ZIF‐67, 2‐mIM = 2‐methylimidazole), by in situ optical method. Distinct kinetics of the two metals forming single‐component MOFs are revealed, and when both Co and Zn ions are present in the starting solution, homogeneous distributions of the two metals are only achieved at high Co/Zn ratio, while at low Co/Zn ratio concentration gradient from Co‐rich cores to Zn‐rich shells is observed. Further, by adding the two metals in sequence, more sophisticated structures are achieved. Specifically, when Co²⁺ is added first, ZIF‐67@ZIF‐8/67 core–shell nanocrystals are achieved with tunable core/shell thickness ratio depending on the time intervals; while when Zn²⁺ is added first, only agglomerates of irregular shape form due to the weak nucleation ability of Zn²⁺.     

Coordination‐Induced Interlinked Covalent‐ and Metal–Organic‐Framework Hybrids for Enhanced Lithium Storage

Covalent organic frameworks (COF) or metal–organic frameworks have attracted significant attention for various applications due to their intriguing tunable micro/mesopores and composition/functionality control. Herein, a coordination‐induced interlinked hybrid of imine‐based covalent organic frameworks and Mn‐based metal–organic frameworks (COF/Mn‐MOF) based on the Mn? N bond is reported. The effective molecular‐level coordination‐induced compositing of COF and MOF endows the hybrid with unique flower‐like microsphere morphology and superior lithium‐storage performances that originate from activated Mn centers and the aromatic benzene ring. In addition, hollow or core–shell MnS trapped in N and S codoped carbon (MnS@NS‐C‐g and MnS@NS‐C‐l) are also derived from the COF/Mn‐MOF hybrid and they exhibit good lithium‐storage properties. The design strategy of COF–MOF hybrid can shed light on the promising hybridization on porous organic framework composites with molecular‐level structural adjustment, nano/microsized morphology design, and property optimization.     

On the Existence of Excitonic Signatures in the Optical Response of Metal–Organic Frameworks: Comment on “van der Waals Metal–Organic Framework as an Excitonic Material for Advanced Photonics”

In a recent experimental paper, it was claimed that pronounced excitonic signatures are observed in optical response of Zn‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) at room temperature. Performing ab initio modelling, it is demonstrated that an alternative interpretation based on single‐electron optical transitions between narrow π‐bands in the system of aromatic rings of the ligand is far more plausible. Although these results do not rule the possibility of exciton formation in MOFs out completely, they show that extreme caution should be taken in attributing the features in photoabsorption spectra alone to excitons, and additional proof, such as data on long‐distance energy transfer, is necessary.     

ZnS/C/MoS2 Nanocomposite Derived from Metal–Organic Framework for High‐Performance Photo‐Electrochemical Immunosensing of Carcinoembryonic Antigen

A hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid is used as a functional monomer to prepare a metal–organic framework (Zn‐MOF). Zn‐MOF is used as a template for MoS₂ nanosheets synthesis and further carbonized to yield light‐responsive ZnS/C/MoS₂ nanocomposites. Zn‐MOF, carbonized‐Zn‐MOF, and ZnS/C/MoS₂ nanocomposites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), element mapping, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence, and nitrogen‐adsorption analysis. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is selected as a model to construct an immunosensing platform to evaluate the photo‐electrochemical (PEC) performances of ZnS/C/MoS₂ nanocomposites. A sandwich‐type PEC immunosensor is fabricated by immobilizing CEA antibody (Ab₁) onto the ZnS/C/MoS₂/GCE surface, subsequently binding CEA and the alkaline phosphatase‐gold nanoparticle labeled CEA antibody (ALP‐Au‐Ab₂). The catalytic conversion of vitamin C magnesium phosphate produces ascorbic acid (AA). Upon being illuminated, AA can react with photogenerated holes from ZnS/C/MoS₂ nanocomposites to generate a photocurrent for quantitative assay. Under optimized experimental conditions, the PEC immunosensor exhibits excellent analytical characteristics with a linear range from 2.0 pg mL^?1 to 10.0 ng mL^?1 and a detection limit of 1.30 pg mL^?1 (S/N = 3). The outstanding practicability of this PEC immunosensor is demonstrated by accurate assaying of CEA in clinical serum samples.     

DNA‐Assembled Core‐Satellite Upconverting‐Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticle Superstructures for Efficient Photodynamic Therapy

DNA‐mediated assembly of core–satellite structures composed of Zr(IV)‐based porphyrinic metal‐organic framework (MOF) and NaYF₄,Yb,Er upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reported. MOF NPs generate singlet oxygen (¹O₂) upon photoirradiation with visible light without the need for additional small molecule, diffusional photosensitizers such as porphyrins. Using DNA as a templating agent, well‐defined MOF–UCNP clusters are produced where UCNPs are spatially organized around a centrally located MOF NP. Under NIR irradiation, visible light emitted from the UCNPs is absorbed by the core MOF NP to produce ¹O₂ at significantly greater amounts than what can be produced from simply mixing UCNPs and MOF NPs. The MOF–UCNP core–satellite superstructures also induce strong cell cytotoxicity against cancer cells, which are further enhanced by attaching epidermal growth factor receptor targeting affibodies to the PDT clusters, highlighting their promise as theranostic photodynamic agents.     

Hydrophobic Metal–Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have diverse potential applications in catalysis, gas storage, separation, and drug delivery because of their nanoscale periodicity, permanent porosity, channel functionalization, and structural diversity. Despite these promising properties, the inherent structural features of even some of the best‐performing MOFs make them moisture‐sensitive and unstable in aqueous media, limiting their practical usefulness. This problem could be overcome by developing stable hydrophobic MOFs whose chemical composition is tuned to ensure that their metal–ligand bonds persist even in the presence of moisture and water. However, the design and fabrication of such hydrophobic MOFs pose a significant challenge. Reported syntheses of hydrophobic MOFs are critically summarized, highlighting issues relating to their design, characterization, and practical use. First, wetting of hydrophobic materials is introduced and the four main strategies for synthesizing hydrophobic MOFs are discussed. Afterward, critical challenges in quantifying the wettability of these hydrophobic porous surfaces and solutions to these challenges are discussed. Finally, the reported uses of hydrophobic MOFs in practical applications such as hydrocarbon storage/separation and their use in separating oil spills from water are summarized. Finally, the state of the art is summarized and promising future developments of hydrophobic MOFs are highlighted.