Defect-enabling zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks for energy and environmental remediation applications

• Published in: Chemical Society reviews 2024-06, Vol.53 (12), p.6244-6294
• Main Authors: Daliran, Saba, Oveisi, Ali Reza, Kung, Chung-Wei, Sen, Unal, Dhakshinamoorthy, Amarajothi, Chuang, Cheng-Hsun, Khajeh, Mostafa, Erkartal, Mustafa, Hupp, Joseph T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Catalytic activity; Catalytic converters; Chemical warfare; Defects; Energy; Energy conversion; Environmental restoration; Functional groups; Hydrogen production; Metal-organic frameworks; Pore size; Remediation; Transport properties; Zirconium
• ISSN: 0306-0012; 1460-4744
• DOI: 10.1039/d3cs01057k

This comprehensive review explores the diverse applications of defective zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) in energy and environmental remediation. Zr-MOFs have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, and deliberate introduction of defects further enhances their functionality. The review encompasses several areas where defective Zr-MOFs exhibit promise, including environmental remediation, detoxification of chemical warfare agents, photocatalytic energy conversions, and electrochemical applications. Defects play a pivotal role by creating open sites within the framework, facilitating effective adsorption and remediation of pollutants. They also contribute to the catalytic activity of Zr-MOFs, enabling efficient energy conversion processes such as hydrogen production and CO 2 reduction. The review underscores the importance of defect manipulation, including control over their distribution and type, to optimize the performance of Zr-MOFs. Through tailored defect engineering and precise selection of functional groups, researchers can enhance the selectivity and efficiency of Zr-MOFs for specific applications. Additionally, pore size manipulation influences the adsorption capacity and transport properties of Zr-MOFs, further expanding their potential in environmental remediation and energy conversion. Defective Zr-MOFs exhibit remarkable stability and synthetic versatility, making them suitable for diverse environmental conditions and allowing for the introduction of missing linkers, cluster defects, or post-synthetic modifications to precisely tailor their properties. Overall, this review highlights the promising prospects of defective Zr-MOFs in addressing energy and environmental challenges, positioning them as versatile tools for sustainable solutions and paving the way for advancements in various sectors toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. This review highlights the promising prospects of defective zirconium-based MOFs in addressing challenging energy- and environment-related problems, positioning them as versatile tools toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.