Tuning photoactive metal–organic frameworks for luminescence and photocatalytic applications

Abstract

• Influences of secondary building units on the photo-activity of MOFs are discussed. • The general design principles of photoactive MOFs are discussed. • Applications of MOFs as tunable light-emitting materials are highlighted. • Uses of MOFs as luminescent sensors for a wide range of analytes are summarised. • Photocatalytic MOFs for H 2 O splitting, CO 2 reduction or organic reactions are discussed. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials, constructed from organic and inorganic components. MOFs have been explored for a diverse range of applications due to their tunable structures, porosities, and properties. This review highlights examples of the applications of photoactive MOFs, with a focus on the effect of MOF components, such as organic linkers, inorganic units and framework guests, on the optical and electronic properties of the materials. Developments in utilising luminescent MOFs as chemical sensors and as light emitting materials are discussed, in addition to recent advances in designing MOF-based photocatalysts for water splitting, CO 2 reduction and organic reactions.