Chapter 7 - Metal-organic frameworks-based electrochemical sensors for environmental applications

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are new materials with significant potential for use in environmental applications. MOFs are porous crystalline structures organized by combining organic linkers and metal ions or clusters joined through coordination bonds. The molecular structure decides their applications, from catalysis to storage and separation. MOFs can be constructed at the nanoscale to modify and enhance their properties. The nanocomposite-based MOFs add new biological and gas adsorption properties and potential in electrocatalyst materials for cell and battery applications. MOF’s environmental applications include toxic and pollutant gas capture, separation, and storage. Increasing demand for accurate and timely ecological pollution control needs new techniques with the more incredible performance of higher reliability, sensitivity, and selectivity. MOFs have unique structures and properties for environmental contaminants such as heavy metal ions, gases, and organic compounds detection. The MOFs-based sensors exhibit promising performance in water and gas pollutants sensing. In contrast, the MOFs-based composites improve the sensor performance. MOFs can be used for various applications involving drug delivery, gas storage, absorption, catalysis, and sensing. Modifying MOFs before combining them with composites would make them a powerful tool for detecting other types of molecules. In this chapter, we have considered MOF and their various applications. The conventional synthesis approaches of MOFs have adverse environmental effects, so their application in real-world fields is limited despite their magnetic properties. We concentrate on developing green and industrially satisfactory MOF chemistry based on safe solvents and reaction media, metal ions that were produced sustainably, and organic linkers that were biologically compatible (i.e., biomolecule/biomass-derived). Green MOFs offer various environmental and medical applications thanks to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and strong drug-loading capacity. This chapter emphasizes the use of MOF derivatives in environment-related fields. These nanomaterials are reviewed in terms of their fundamental properties and general background. The primary approaches involved in changing the composition, modulating the synthesized material before it is synthesized, controlling its morphology, and modifying the material postsynthesis are outlined. This article provides a comprehensive overview and insight into future research in this up-and-coming field using MOF-derived nanomaterials for environmental applications.