Search Results (261)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of crystalline porous materials featuring a high specific surface area, tunable pore structures, and functional surfaces, exhibit remarkable potential in fluorescent sensing. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the construction strategies, sensing mechanisms, and applications of MOF-based fluorescent sensors. It begins by highlighting the diverse degradation pathways that MOFs encounter in practical applications, including hydrolysis, acid/base attack, ligand displacement by coordinating anions, photodegradation, redox processes, and biofouling, followed by a detailed discussion of corresponding stabilization strategies. Subsequently, the review elaborates on the construction of sensors based on individual MOFs and their composites with metal nanomaterials, MOF-on-MOF heterostructures, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), quantum dots (QDs), and fluorescent dyes, emphasizing the synergistic effects of composite structures in enhancing sensor performance. Furthermore, key sensing mechanisms such as fluorescence quenching, fluorescence enhancement, Stokes shift, and multi-mechanism coupling are thoroughly examined, with examples provided of their application in detecting biological analytes, environmental pollutants, and food contaminants. Finally, future directions for MOF-based fluorescent sensors in food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics are outlined, pointing to the development of high-performance, low-cost MOFs; the integration of multi-technology platforms; and the construction of intelligent sensing systems as key to enabling their practical deployment and commercialization. Full article

Environmental pollution is a global issue presenting risks to ecosystems and human health through release of toxic gases, existence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the environment, and heavy metal contamination of waters and soils. To effectively address this issue, reliable and real-time monitoring technology is imperative. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a disruptive set of materials with high surface area, tunable porosity, and abundant chemistry to design extremely sensitive and selective pollutant detection. This review article gives an account of recent advances towards sensor technology for MOFs with application specificity towards gas and environment monitoring. We critically examine optical, electrochemical, and resistive platforms and their interfacing with embedded electronics and edge artificial intelligence (edge-AI) to realize smart, compact, and energy-efficient monitoring tools. We also detail critical challenges such as scalability, reproducibility, long-term stability, and secure data management and underscore transforming MOF-based sensors from lab prototype to functional instruments to ensure safe coverage of human health and to bring about sustainable environmental management. Full article

In the search for new materials to open up creative pathways for industry and research, modification is one of the best methods to implement. Developing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity for specific applications, such as ion sensing, remains a significant challenge. This work aims to introduce a novel metal–organic framework (MOF) derived from the well-established 2-amino-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid MOF by modifying its structure to enhance its properties and applications. A luminescent 2-naphthyl moiety was attached to the amino group of the linker to form the new luminescent Al-based MOF Al-BP-Naph with a surface area of 456 m² g⁻¹ and a pore volume of 0.55 cm³ g⁻¹. Al-BP-Naph showed high selectivity towards Fe³⁺ sensing due to the overlapping absorption and excitation spectra of both Fe³⁺ and MOF. The MOF demonstrated a detection limit of approximately 6 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a limit of quantification of about 19 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and a very fast response time (less than 10 s). It also had a Stern–Volmer constant of approximately 0.09 × 10⁵ L mol⁻¹, distinguishing it from other ions. Our work contributes to the expanding repertoire of functional materials with promising applications in sensing technologies, offering a novel MOF with superior properties for iron(III) ion detection. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are stable and carcinogenic mycotoxins that are commonly found in dairy products, posing serious food safety concerns. However, conventional degradation methods face limited degradation efficiency and high energy demand. Here, we develop an innovative polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite membrane incorporating Fe/Co-based metal-organic frameworks (MOF) (Named Fe/Co-MIL-88B(NH₂)) and CaO₂ for targeted aflatoxin removal from milk. This system integrates two synergistic mechanisms: (1) hierarchical porous MOF structures enabling superior aflatoxin adsorption capacity and peroxidase-like catalytic activity, and (2) CaO₂ acts as a controllable-release H₂O₂ donor, supplying a steady flux of reactive oxygen species without the addition of exogenous H₂O₂. Moreover, the PVDF membrane with mechanical stability offers uniform immobilization of active components, which prevents the aggregation of nanozymes. As a result, the integrated membrane achieves high degradation efficiency for AFB1 and AFM1, exceeding 95% within 60 min. By eliminating external oxidant addition and minimizing collateral nutrient damage, the technology demonstrates remarkable operational stability (>10 cycles) and milk quality preservation capability. This breakthrough establishes an efficient and reusable detoxification method, providing new opportunities for mycotoxin mitigation in dairy products through spatiotemporal control of reactive oxygen species. Full article

Adsorption desulfurization of fuel oil is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for obtaining clean fuel because it can remove refractory sulfur compounds at ambient temperature and pressure. Studies indicate that HKUST-1, as an important type of metal–organic framework (MOF), is a potential candidate for adsorption desulfurization of fuel oil. In this work, we report that defective HKUST-1 can be rapidly synthesized at room temperature with the aid of NH₄F and exhibit superior adsorption desulfurization performance compared to conventional HKUST-1 by the solvothermal method. Moreover, the influence of adsorption parameters on the desulfurization performance of HKUST-1 prepared with the aid of NH₄F was investigated. We used 50 mg of HKUST-1-5 synthesized with 5 wt% added NH₄F to adsorb 5 g of model oil with a sulfur concentration of 1000 ppm at 25 °C for 1 h, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent reached 23.8 mgS/g, 46.8 mgS/g and 36.8 mgS/g for benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT), respectively, which are higher values than those of conventional HKUST-1. Such performance can be mainly attributed to its relatively small particle size and the presence of more unsaturated Cu sites. The results of regeneration experiments show that HKUST-1-5 still maintains excellent adsorption performance after four cycles. These findings highlight the great potential of this material as an efficient adsorbent for adsorption desulfurization of fuel oil. Full article

As water pollution from dyes, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other emerging contaminants continues to rise at an alarming rate, ensuring access to clean and safe water has become a pressing global challenge. Conventional water treatment methods, though widely used, often fall short in effectively addressing these complex pollutants. In response, researchers have turned to Advanced Functional Membranes (AFMs) as promising alternatives, owing to their customizable structures and enhanced performance. Among the most explored AFMs are those based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and electro–catalytic systems, each offering unique advantages such as high permeability, selective pollutant removal, and compatibility with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Notably, hybrid systems combining AFMs with electrochemical or photocatalytic technologies have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in laboratory settings. However, translating these successes to real-world applications remains a challenge due to issues related to cost, scalability, and long-term stability. This review explores the recent progress in AFM development, particularly MOF-based, CNT-based, and electro-Fenton (EF)-based membranes, highlighting their material aspects, pollutant filtration mechanisms, benefits, and limitations. It also offers insights into how these next-generation materials can contribute to more sustainable, practical, and economically viable water purification solutions in the near future. Full article

Plasma has become an up-and-coming advanced oxidation technology for wastewater treatment. However, its efficiency is often limited due to the lack of high-performance catalytic materials. In this study, one-dimensional carbon nanofiber precursors were first fabricated via electrospinning, followed by the in situ growth of the Zn/Fe-MOF on their surfaces. After pyrolysis at different temperatures, a series of carbon-based catalysts (FeNFC) were obtained. This new type of catalyst possesses advantages such as high porosity, a large specific surface area, and mechanical stability. Using tetracycline (TTCH) as the target pollutant, the performance of the catalyst was evaluated in the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system. The study showed that the addition of FeNFC significantly increased the degradation rate of TTCH in the system. Comparing different pyrolysis temperatures, at 900 °C, the comprehensive performance of the catalyst (FeNFC-900) was the best (the kinetic constant was k_obs = 0.126 min⁻¹, and the removal rate of TTCH was 91.8% within 30 min). The catalytic performance was influenced by factors such as the dosage of the catalyst, the concentration of TTCH, the power of DBD, and the initial pH. The catalytic effect of the material increased within a certain range with the increase in the catalyst dosage. The increase in TTCH concentration led to a decrease in the catalytic performance. The higher the power of the DBD, the higher the removal rate of TTCH. Moreover, when the initial pH was strongly alkaline, the catalytic effect of the catalyst was the best (k_obs = 0.275 min⁻¹, and the removal rate of TTCH was 98.7% within 30 min). Ionic interference tests demonstrated the strong resistance of FeNFC to common water matrix components, while radical quenching experiments revealed that multiple reactive species contributed to TTCH degradation. This work has broad application prospects for enhancing the efficiency of DBD systems in the removal of TTCH. Full article

Arsenic pollution in potable water is a significant worldwide health concern. This study systematically evaluates current progress in adsorption technology, the most promising restorative approach, to provide a definitive framework for future research and use. The methodology entailed a rigorous evaluation of 91 peer-reviewed studies (2012–2025), classifying adsorbents into three generations: (1) Natural adsorbents (e.g., agricultural/industrial wastes), characterized by cost-effectiveness but limited capacities (0.1–5 mg/g); (2) Engineered materials (e.g., metal oxides, activated alumina), which provide dependable performance (84–97% removal); and (3) Advanced hybrids (e.g., MOFs, polymer composites), demonstrating remarkable capacities (60–300 mg/g). The primary mechanisms of removal are confirmed to be surface complexation, electrostatic interactions, and redox precipitation. Nevertheless, the critical analysis indicates that despite significant laboratory efficacy, substantial obstacles to field implementation persist, including scalability limitations (approximately 15% of materials are evaluated beyond laboratory scale), stability concerns (e.g., structural collapse of MOFs at extreme pH levels), and elevated costs (e.g., MOFs priced at approximately $230/kg compared to $5/kg for alumina). The research indicates that the discipline must transition from only materials innovation to application science. Primary objectives include the development of economical hybrids (about $50/kg), the establishment of uniform WHO testing standards, and the implementation of AI-optimized systems. The primary objective is to attain sustainable solutions costing less than $0.10 per cubic meter that satisfy worldwide deployment standards via multidisciplinary cooperation. Full article

In global economic integration and rapid urbanization, the equilibrium between resource utilization efficiency and ecological preservation is confronted with significant challenges. Emerging contaminants have further exacerbated environmental pressures and posed threats to the ecosystem and human health. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a prominent area of research in ecological remediation, owing to their distinctive porous configuration, substantial specific surface area, and exceptional chemical stability. The Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL) series (e.g., MIL-53, MIL-88, MIL-100, MIL-101, and MIL-125) has been shown to effectively promote the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers and significantly enhance the degradation of organic contaminants. This property renders it highly promising for the photocatalytic degradation of emerging contaminants. This paper provides a concise overview of the classification, synthesis methods, modification strategies, and application effects of MIL series MOFs in the removal of emerging contaminants. The advantages and limitations of MIL series MOFs in environmental remediation are further analyzed. Particularly, we offer insights and support for innovative strategies in the treatment of emerging contaminants, including POPs, PPCPs, VOCs, and microplastics, contributing to technological innovation and development in environmental remediation. Future development of MOFs includes the optimization of the performance of the MILs, reducing the high synthesis costs of MILs, applying MILs in real-environment scenarios, and accurate detection of degradation products of environmental pollutants. Full article

Gentamicin (GEN) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used in livestock production, and its excessive residues in animal-derived foods pose potential health risks to consumers. However, conventional colloidal gold immunochromatographic assays (AuNPs-ICA) often suffer from low sensitivity and poor tolerance to sample matrices. Herein, a UiO-66-NH₂ framework decorated with gold nanoparticle (UiO-66-NH₂@Au)-based ICA was employed to construct an ICA platform for GEN detection, combining the optical advantages of AuNPs with the protective and stable octahedral framework of the Metal-organic framework (MOF) to enhance antibody stability under extreme conditions. The method achieved limits of detection for GEN of 0.1 µg/kg in four tested matrices, with recoveries of 80.1–112.0% and coefficients of variation below 11.7%. Compared to traditional AuNPs-ICA, the sensitivity was improved by up to 30-fold, the pH tolerance range was expanded from 6–8 to 4–10, and the organic solvent tolerance to organic solvents expanded up to 40%. Verification with 40 real samples demonstrated excellent correlation (R² > 0.99) with results from commercial ELISA kits. This UiO-66-NH₂@Au-ICA platform offers a new technical solution with high sensitivity, strong good anti-interference performance, and robustness for rapid field detection of GEN residues in products of animal origin and holds significant practical importance for advancing rapid food safety detection technologies. Full article

Clean water and uncontaminated soil are fundamental for sustaining life on Earth and are essential for assuring human health, and the use of sustainable adsorption materials has emerged as an effective strategy to reduce the volume of effluents released into the environment. Cellulose–bentonite composites have shown significant promise in water purification due to their high adsorption capacity, structural stability, and eco-friendly nature, making them an effective material for the removal of a wide range of pollutants from contaminated water. The most commonly employed methods of fabrication of cellulose–bentonite composites include solution casting, in situ polymerization, and electrospinning. Wastewater typically contains a variety of toxic contaminants, including synthetic dyes such as Congo red and methylene blue, heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, pesticides, and oils. Cellulose–bentonite composites offer an economical and efficient solution for the removal of these pollutants, owing to their synergistic properties—especially when compared to other adsorbents such as activated carbon, nanographene oxide, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). However, a systematic evaluation of their fabrication strategies, adsorption mechanisms, and application-related studies remains lacking. Also, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive review that consolidates recent findings on the removal of environmental contaminants and highlights both individual and combined adsorption efficiencies. Therefore, this work focuses on cellulose–bentonite composites as highly promising materials for developing sustainable, high-performance adsorbents tailored for advanced water treatment technologies. Full article

Zeolites and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline porous materials characterized by highly ordered pore structures. Their fabrication into membranes has demonstrated significant potential for use in separation processes involving liquids or gases. Traditional methods for synthesizing these membranes often require prolonged reaction times and high energy input. In contrast, microwave heating technology has gained increasing attention as a more efficient approach for the synthesis of zeolite and MOF membranes, offering advantages such as rapid and uniform heating, enhanced energy efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability. This review focuses on fundamental research and laboratory-scale studies on the microwave-assisted synthesis of zeolite and MOF membranes. It begins by outlining the principles of microwave heating, emphasizing the mechanisms that enable accelerated heating. The discussion then highlights the key features and advantages of microwave synthesis in membrane fabrication, including reduced synthesis times, thinner membrane layers, suppression of impurities and undesired phases, and enhanced membrane density. Recent advancements in this area are also presented, particularly strategies for optimizing microwave heating processes, such as the use of single-mode microwave systems and precise control of heating rates. Notably, optimized microwave synthesis with controlled heating rates has been shown to reduce crystallization time by approximately 69%, decrease membrane thickness by nearly 70%, and improve pervaporation flux for acetic acid dehydration by more than 70%, compared with conventional microwave synthesis of mordenite membranes. Finally, the review summarizes and presents future perspectives aimed at promoting continued research and refinement of synthesis strategies in this promising area. Full article

Among various H₂ production methods, splitting water using renewable electricity for H₂ production is regarded as a promising approach due to its high efficiency and zero carbon emissions. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an important part of splitting water, but also the main bottleneck. The anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for water electrolysis technology involves multi-electron/proton transfer and has sluggish reaction kinetics, which is the key obstacle to the overall efficiency of electrolyzing water. Therefore, it is necessary to develop highly efficient and cheap OER electrocatalysts to drive overall water splitting. Herein, a series of efficient RuO₂-Co₃O₄ composites were synthesized via a straightforward three-step process comprising solvothermal synthesis, ion exchange, and calcination. The results indicate that using 10 mg of RuCl₃·xH₂O and 15 mg of Co-MOF precursor in the second ion exchange step is the most effective way to acquire the Co₃O₄-RuO₂-10 (RCO-10) composite with the largest specific area and the best electrocatalytic performance after the calcination process. The optimal Co₃O₄-RuO₂-10 composite powder catalyst displays low overpotential (η₁₀ = 272 mV), a small Tafel slope (64.64 mV dec⁻¹), and good electrochemical stability in alkaline electrolyte; the overall performance of Co₃O₄-RuO₂-10 surpasses that of many related cobalt-based oxide catalysts. Furthermore, through integration with a carbon cloth substrate, Co₃O₄-RuO₂-10/CC can be directly used as a self-supporting electrode with high stability. This work presents a straightforward method to design Co₃O₄-RuO₂ composite array catalysts for high-performance electrocatalytic OER performance. Full article

The rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a major driver of climate change, highlighting the need to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies quickly. This paper offers a comparative review of three main groups of porous adsorbent materials—zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and activated carbons—for their roles in CO₂ capture and long-term storage. By examining their structural features, adsorption capacities, moisture stability, and economic viability, the strengths and weaknesses of each material are assessed. Additionally, five different methods for delivering these materials into depleted oil and gas reservoirs are discussed: direct suspension injection, polymer-assisted transport, foam-assisted delivery, encapsulation with controlled release, and preformed particle gels. The potential of hybrid systems, such as MOF–carbon composites and polymer-functionalized materials, is also examined for improved selectivity and durability in underground environments. This research aims to connect materials science with subsurface engineering, helping guide the selection and use of adsorbent materials in real-world CCS applications. The findings support the optimization of CCS deployment and contribute to broader climate change efforts and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Key findings include CO₂ adsorption capacities of 3.5–8.0 mmol/g and surface areas up to 7000 m²/g, with MOFs demonstrating the highest uptake and activated carbons offering cost-effective performance. Full article

The global scarcity of freshwater, driven by population growth and the unequal distribution of water resources, has intensified the need for alternative water supply technologies. Among the most promising solutions, adsorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) systems offer the ability to extract water vapor directly from ambient air, even under low-humidity conditions. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the thermodynamic principles and material characteristics governing these systems, with particular emphasis on adsorption isotherms and their role in predicting and optimizing system performance. A generalized theoretical framework is proposed to assess the energy efficiency of thermally driven AWH devices, based on key material parameters. Recent developments in sorbent materials, especially metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and advanced zeolites, are examined for their high-water uptake, regeneration efficiency, and potential for operation under real climatic conditions. The Dubinin–Astakhov and modified Langmuir isotherm models are reviewed for their effectiveness in describing nonlinear sorption behaviors critical to performance modeling. In addition, component-level design strategies for adsorption-based AWH systems are discussed. The integration of solar energy is also discussed, highlighting recent prototypes and design strategies that have achieved water yields ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 L m⁻²/day and specific productivities up to 2.8 L kg⁻¹ using MOF-801 at 20% RH. Despite notable progress, challenges remain, including limited productivity in non-optimized setups, thermal losses, long-term material stability, and scalability. This review concludes by identifying future directions for material development, system integration, and modeling approaches to advance the practical deployment of efficient and scalable AWH technologies. Full article