Metal Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Application II

Dear Colleagues,

Following a very successful first run, we are pleased to announce the launch of a second edition of a Special Issue on the synthesis and application of metal–organic frameworks, instigated by the still wide applicability of MOFs in analytical science as materials with exceptional properties and advantages. As such, we are inviting authors to present their experience with regard to MOFs’ use.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are among the most promising novel materials. They belong to a new class of crystalline materials that consist of a coordination bond between metal clusters (e.g., metal–carboxylate clusters and metal–azolate clusters), metal atoms, or rod-shaped clusters and multidentate organic linkers that contain oxygen or nitrogen donors (carboxylates, azoles, nitriles, etc.), thus forming a three-dimensional structure.

The properties of both metal ions and linkers determine the physical properties of MOF networks (e.g., porosity, pore size, and pore surface). Additionally, the structural properties of the prepared frameworks can be controlled by the solvent system, pH, metal–ligand ratio, and temperature.

The concept of MOFs was first introduced in 1990. They were initially used in catalysis, gas separation, membranes, and electrochemical sensors. Later on, they were introduced as SPE (solid phase extraction) sorbents for PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in environmental water samples, then the range expanded to the field of analytical chemistry, both in chromatographic separation and sample preparation, with great success in, e.g., SPE and SPME (solid phase mico-extraction). Since then, the number of analytical applications implementing MOFs as sorbents in sorptive sample preparation approaches has been steadily increasing. Τhis is reinforced by the fact that, at least theoretically, an infinite number of structures can be designed and synthesized, thus making tuneability one of the most unique characteristics of MOF materials. Moreover, they have been designed in various shapes, such as columns, fibers, and films, so that they can meet more analytical challenges with improved analytical features.

Their exceptional properties have attracted the interest of analytical chemists who have taken advantage of their unique structures and properties and have already introduced them in several sample pretreatment techniques, such as solid phase extraction, dispersive SPE, magnetic solid phase extraction, solid phase microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction, etc.

This Special Issue aims to present recent developmentts in the synthesis and applications of MOFs.

Prof. Dr. Victoria Samanidou
Prof. Dr. Eleni Deliyanni
Guest Editors

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