An overview of different strategies to introduce conductivity in metal–organic frameworks and miscellaneous applications thereof

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are known to possess many interesting material properties such as high specific surface area, tailorable porosity, adsorption/absorption capabilities, post-synthetic modifications, and chemical/thermal stabilities. Because of these unique features, they have been explored for the development of sensors for a variety of analytes. A large proportion of pre-existing MOF-based sensors are well suited for optical transductions due to a lack of electrical conduction in their pristine forms. Hence, the development of MOF-based electrochemical/electrical sensors requires specialized strategies through which MOFs are modified or hybridized with enhanced conductive moieties (e.g., via doping or post synthetic modification). In this review article, we provide a comprehensive review of various synthetic and integrating strategies to improve electrical conductivity and long-range charge transport properties in MOFs. To this end, we have compiled details of different techniques that have been used to develop electrically/electrochemically active platforms for MOF-based sensing of various targets.