Applications of MOF-derived single-atom catalysts

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), novel crystalline porous materials, are composed of metal nodes and organic linkers. These are extensively utilized as universal templates or versatile precursors based on different nanomaterials. MOFs are difficult to be processed for various applications as they are brittle, insoluble, and incompatible with other materials. Therefore nanomaterial-based MOFs are developed through effective fabrication making them robust and flexible. Nanomaterial-based MOFs are advantageous due to their properties such as a tuned morphology, high porosity, a larger surface area, and chemical composition, which endow them to be used in various applications and fields related to environment and clinics. These porous inorganic and organic crystal hybrids show different applications in heterogeneous catalysis, biosensing, drug delivery, and environmental cleaning due to their advantages over other traditional porous materials. The fundamental properties and potential applications of nanomaterial-based MOFs are summarized. Several tunable features such as morphological manipulation, modulation before synthesis, and involvement of a postsynthetic treatment can be tailored for improved activity. Their recent advancements including environmental monitoring, especially for cleaning pollutants from air, water, or soil, and target-based sensing are gaining importance.