Metal–organic framework glass composites

Abstract

The melting phenomenon in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has been recognised as one of the fourth generation MOF paradigm behaviours. Molten MOFs have high processibility for producing mechanically robust glassy MOF macrostructures, and they also offer highly tunable interfacial characteristics when combined with other types of functional materials, such as crystalline MOFs, inorganic glass and metal halide perovskites. As a result, MOF glass composites have emerged as a family of functional materials with dynamic properties and hierarchical structural control. These nanocomposites allow for sophisticated materials science studies as well as the fabrication of next-generation separation, catalysis, optical, and biomedical devices. Here, we review the approaches for designing, fabricating, and characterising MOF glass composites. We determine the key application opportunities enabled by these composites and explore the remaining hurdles, such as improving thermal and chemical compatibility, regulating interfacial properties, and scalability.