Design and Application of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs)
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 1282
Special Issue Editors
Interests: metal–organic frameworks; inorganic chemistry; materials science; supramolecular chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The focus on Hydrogen-bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs) in this Special Issue highlights their emerging importance in porous materials. Unlike their more established counterparts, Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), HOFs are characterized by their unique flexible structures and enhanced photo-electronic properties. These characteristics open up many applications, ranging from gas storage and separation to catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery, where the adaptability of HOFs can be leveraged to optimize performance.
Key Areas for Exploration
- Host–Guest Chemistry: Understanding the interactions between HOFs and guest molecules, such as ions, solvents, gasses, or biomolecules, is crucial. Research in this area should delve into the mechanisms of guest inclusion, the effect of guest molecules on the framework's structure and properties, and the dynamic behavior of HOFs in response to guest molecules.
- Stimulus-Responsive Behaviors: HOFs that respond to stimuli such as irradiation, heat, pressures, or chemical reactions offer exciting possibilities for smart materials. Investigations into how these stimuli can trigger HOF structure or functionality changes can lead to designing materials with switchable properties for specific applications.
- Bio-hybrid Organic Frameworks： A class of materials that combine organic components with biological entities to create novel structures with unique properties. These materials often integrate biological molecules, cells, or tissues with HOFs to achieve specific functionalities, such as enhanced biocompatibility, specific biochemical interactions, or tunable mechanical properties. Bio-hybrid organic frameworks are of great interest in various fields, including biomedicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biomimetic materials design.
Contribution to the Field
- Cutting-Edge Developments: This Special Issue will be a repository for the latest research and reviews in HOFs, providing a comprehensive update on recent advancements and future directions.
- Interdisciplinary Exchange: The Special Issue will foster cross-disciplinary collaborations and knowledge exchange by bringing together researchers from various disciplines, enriching the field with diverse perspectives.
- Application-Oriented Research: The emphasis on functional aspects of HOFs and their potential applications will guide researchers toward developing HOFs with tailored properties for specific needs, accelerating the translation of fundamental science into practical solutions.
The Special Issue aims to catalyze the growth of this exciting field by consolidating knowledge, inspiring new research directions, and facilitating the development of HOF-based technologies that can impact various sectors, from environmental remediation to healthcare and beyond.
Dr. Peng Li
Prof. Dr. Zhangjing Zhang
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks
- gas storage and separation
- catalysis
- sensing
- drug-delivery
- host–guest chemistry
- stimulus-responsive behaviors
- bio-hybrid organic frameworks
- HOF composite materials
- crystal structure prediction (CSP)
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