Photocatalytic active metal–organic framework and its derivatives for solar-driven environmental remediation and renewable energy

Photocatalytic active metal–organic frameworks (PA-MOFs) and MOFs-derived photocatalyst has been extensively utilized in various heterogeneous photocatalytic applications due to the synergism of properties like high crystallinities, controllable dimensions, and tuneable textural properties. Recently, various modification approaches have been employed to improve the physicochemical properties of PA-MOFs and MOFs-derived photocatalysts and enhance their photocatalytic performance for a sustainable solar-driven environment and renewable energy applications. Despite the advancements in this field, a deep understanding of PA-MOFs and MOFs-derived photocatalyst to comprehend the correlation between the various physicochemical properties and photocatalytic performance remains to be explored. To bridge the gap, this review comprehensively addresses the various synthesis methods, surface functionalization and grafting, elemental doping, ligand modification, and heterojunction interfacial construction techniques for improving both the physicochemical and photocatalytic features of the PA-MOFs and their derivatives structures. The state-of-the-art progress in applying PA-MOFs and MOFs-derived photocatalyst in photocatalytic water splitting for H2 production, photocatalytic CO2 reduction, and the photodegradation of emerging hazardous pollutants are discussed. Considering their versatility for solar-driven environmental remediation and renewable energy, the remaining challenges, possible mitigation strategies, and future directions of PA-MOFs and MOFs derivatives development as robust photocatalyst is presented.