Chapter 15 - Metal-organic framework nanocomposite based adsorbents

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials having infinite network structures, offering substantially high porosity and substantially large internal surface areas. MOFs offer amazing network flexibility and are closely associated with the coordination bonds, noncovalent bonds, and weak interactions, rendering them useful for various applications. Although MOFs offer many advantages, but still many of the MOFs possess major limitations such as low light and water resistance, poor mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, and susceptible to degradation even at ambient conditions. To overcome these limitations and to make MOFs more versatile and improve their applicability to realistic applications, it is imperative to improve their properties and add new functionalities. Hence a combination of MOFs with wide range of functional materials to merge the merits and alleviate the shortcomings of individual components has been proposed. MOFs and MOF composites are mainly used for gas storage and separation, removal/separation of hazardous chemicals, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, sensing, drug delivery, biosensing, and some medical applications. In this review, details about MOF structure, synthesis methods, and MOF composites are briefly discussed. The maximum use of MOFs is mainly based on adsorption, which forms the basis for different applications. The applications of MOF composites with focus on adsorption have been reviewed.