Search Results (1,777)

This comprehensive review examines the transformative role of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in advancing battery separator technology to address critical safety challenges in rechargeable lithium metal batteries. MOF-based separators leverage their highly specific surface area, tunable pore structures, and functionalized organic ligands to enable precise ion-sieving effects, uniform lithium-ion flux regulation, and dendrite suppression—significantly mitigating risks of internal short circuits and thermal runaway. We systematically analyze the mechanisms by which classical MOF families (e.g., ZIF, UiO, MIL series) enhance separator performance through physicochemical properties such as electrolyte wettability, thermal stability (>400 °C), and mechanical robustness. Furthermore, we highlight innovative composite strategies integrating MOFs with polymer matrices (e.g., PVDF, PAN) or traditional separators, which synergistically improve ionic conductivity while inhibiting polysulfide shuttling in lithium–sulfur batteries and side reactions in aqueous zinc-ion systems. Case studies demonstrate that functionalized MOF separators achieve exceptional electrochemical outcomes: Li–S batteries maintain >99% Coulombic efficiency over 500 cycles, while solid-state batteries exhibit 2400 h dendrite-free operation. Despite promising results, scalability challenges related to MOF synthesis costs and long-term stability under operational conditions require further research. This review underscores MOFs’ potential as multifunctional separator materials to enable safer, high-energy-density batteries and provides strategic insights for future material design. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the morphological impact of carbamazepine (CBZ) coated with carbon nanodots functionalised with silver nanoparticles (CNDs@AgNPs) and metal–organic framework (MOF-5) nanoparticles on the hearts of male rats with experimental epilepsy. Methods: Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly selected for the study and divided into ten groups of seven animals each. Haematoxylin–eosin staining was performed on heart tissue, and the levels of interleu-kin-6 (IL-6) and catalase (CAT) and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined bio-chemically. In addition, we performed morphological measurements of the heart. Results: When the heart tissues were evaluated histopathologically in all groups, it was observed that cells with pyknotic nuclei and haemorrhagic areas increased in the heart images, especially in the PTZ group with epilepsy only. Histologically normal cardiac cells and cardiac tissue were observed in the other groups. The distance between the atria was below 10 mm only in PTZ + CBZ 50 mg/kg and PTZ + CNDs@MOF-5 25 mg/kg groups. The distance between the apex of the heart and the base of the heart was the lowest in CNDs@MOF-5 25 mg/kg and CNDs@MOF-5 50 mg/kg groups. Conclusions: PTZ-induced epilepsy causes significant histopathological changes, while cardiac tissue structure is largely preserved in the treatment groups. In our literature review, we did not find any previous studies examining the effects of carbamazepine coated with two different types of nanoparticles on the cardiac morphology in an experimental epilepsy model. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI) remains a major challenge in the treatment of ischemic stroke, characterized by intertwined oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Existing monotherapies often fail to address this dual pathology effectively. We developed PLSCZ, a biomimetic nanoplatform integrating a catalytic core of imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)-encapsulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes with a hybrid platelet membrane shell. This design strategically employs metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to effectively overcome the critical limitations of enzyme instability and provide a cascade catalytic environment, while the biomimetic surface modification enhances targeting capability, thereby enabling dual-pathway intervention against CIRI. Methods: PLSCZ was engineered by co-encapsulating SOD and CAT within a ZIF-8 core to form a cascade antioxidant system (SCZ). The core was further coated with a hybrid membrane composed of rapamycin-loaded phospholipids and natural platelet membranes. The nanoparticle was characterized by size, structure, enzyme activity, and targeting capability. In vitro and in vivo efficacy was evaluated using oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) models and a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/r) rat model. Results: In vitro, PLSCZ exhibited enhanced enzymatic stability and cascade catalytic efficiency, significantly scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restoring mitochondrial function. The platelet membrane conferred active targeting to ischemic brain regions and promoted immune evasion. PLSCZ effectively polarized microglia toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, restored autophagic flux, and preserved blood–brain barrier integrity. In vivo, in tMCAO/r rats, PLSCZ markedly targeted the ischemic hemisphere, reduced infarct volume, improved neurological function, and attenuated neuroinflammation. Conclusions: By synergistic ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory action, the PLSCZ nanozyme overcomes the limitations of conventional monotherapies for CIRI. This biomimetic, multi-functional platform effectively reduces oxidative stress, modulates the phenotype of microglia, decreases infarct volume, and promotes neurological recovery, offering a promising multi-mechanistic nanotherapeutic for CIRI and a rational design model for MOF-based platforms. Full article

Diphenylmethane, recently recognized as a candidate for liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems, is traditionally produced by alkylation of benzene with benzyl chloride using homogeneous catalysts. In the current context, the need for a transition toward processes that reduce environmental impact and move toward sustainability has become increasingly evident. In this work, the benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts is proposed, as alternative materials that combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Reaction experiments were carried out in an isothermal batch reactor with commercial Basolite C300 and Basolite F300 MOFs, based on Cu and Fe as active species, respectively. The results demonstrate catalytic activity using both proposed catalysts under the studied conditions, with the results of the Fe-based MOF being more favorable, given the greater standard reduction potential of Fe. Compared with their corresponding metal chlorides, the proposed MOFs improve the alkylation activity. Based on a two-step reaction mechanism, a pseudo first-order kinetic model has been developed for the reaction with MOFs as catalysts. The kinetic parameters were obtained by fitting the model to the experimental data, demonstrating good agreement and validating the proposed mechanistic pathway. Full article

The escalating threat of antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for alternative antibacterial therapies. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), which utilizes light-activated photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), offers a promising, non-invasive approach. The aim of this review is to analyze recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated aPDT and synthesize crucial design principles necessary to overcome the current translational barriers, thereby establishing a roadmap for future clinically applicable antimicrobial treatments. Emerging nanoparticle platforms, including upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), carbon dots (CDs), mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), liposomes, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), have demonstrated improved photosensitizer delivery, enhanced ROS generation, biofilm disruption, and targeted bacterial eradication. Synergistic effects are observed when aPDT is integrated with photothermal, chemodynamic, or immunotherapeutic approaches. The review further examines the mechanisms of action, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance of these nanoparticle systems, particularly against drug-resistant strains and in challenging environments such as chronic wounds. Overall, nanomaterial-mediated aPDT presents a highly promising and versatile solution to antimicrobial resistance. Future perspectives include the integration of artificial intelligence to personalize aPDT by predicting optimal light dosage and nanoplatform design based on patient-specific data, rigorous clinical validation through trials, and the development of safer, more efficient nanoparticle platforms. Full article

1,2,4-Triazoles, as heterocyclic compounds, represent an attractive class of ligands in the design of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their donor–acceptor character, thermal and chemical stability, and ability to form extended coordination networks. This review summarizes the literature published between 2019 and 2025 on luminescent MOFs incorporating 1,2,4-triazole scaffold. The analysis covers synthetic conditions and provides a detailed discussion of the luminescent properties of these materials. Particular emphasis is placed on their applicability as luminescent probes for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics, as well as on their potential use in light-emitting diode construction. The collected data highlight promising results, including strong correlations between analyte concentration and luminescent response, enabling sensitive detection with low limits of detection (LOD) for selected analytes. This article may serve as a valuable resource for chemists, physicists, and engineers involved in the design of functional materials and the development of detection and optoelectronic technologies. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are extensively utilized in cosmetics and healthcare products, creating an urgent need for sensitive quantification methods. We report the first application of a metal–organic framework for electrochemical AgNPs sensing in cosmetic samples. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with polyethyleneimine-encapsulated MOF-235 (PEI-MOF-235/GCE); the PEI layer enriches AgNPs through Ag–N coordination, whereas the high-surface-area MOF catalyzes their oxidative dissolution. Under optimized conditions (catalyst loading 1.4 µg mm⁻³, pH 4.3 PBS), differential-pulse voltammetry provided a linear range of 10–100 ng L⁻¹ and a detection limit of 3.93 ng L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The sensor exhibited excellent stability (RSD ≤ 4.7%) and good anti-interference capability toward common aquatic ions. Compared with a standard HPLC method, recoveries in spiked cosmetic samples were 97.9–102.6%. This MOF-based strategy offers a sensitive, selective, and field-deployable platform for routine monitoring of trace AgNPs. Full article

In this paper, spherical-shaped catalytic materials with needle-like stacking structures were synthesized in situ on the foam nickel substrate using the hydrothermal method, resulting in the NiM (M = Co, Mn, W, Zn)-MOF series. Furthermore, the catalyst with the best performance was obtained by adjusting the ratio of metal elements. Electrochemical tests show that NiCo-MOF (Ni: Co = 1:2) has the best electrocatalytic performance. During the UOR process, NiCo-MOF exhibits the optimal performance in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M urea solution, with a potential of only 1.33 V at a current density of 10 mA/cm². The improvement in the activity of NiCo-MOF can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the Ni and Co bimetals, which leads to an increase in the electron transfer rate, the exposure of active sites, and an improvement in conductivity. Moreover, metal–organic framework materials are widely used as electrocatalysts due to their compositional diversity, rich pore structures, and high specific surface areas. Meanwhile, NiCo-MOF was used as a UOR and HER catalyst to assist the overall water decomposition with urea, and it showed relatively excellent performance. Only a voltage of 1.56 V was required to drive the current density of 10 mA/cm² of the UOR || HER system. Therefore, the synthesized NiCo-MOF catalyst plays an important role in improving the efficiency of hydrogen production from water electrolysis and has promising sustainable application prospects. Full article

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, yet increasing environmental cadmium (Cd²⁺) contamination poses a serious threat to consumer safety. Understanding the migration pathway of Cd²⁺ from contaminated soils through tea plants into brewed infusions is essential for comprehensive risk assessment across the entire tea supply chain. However, conventional analytical methods for Cd²⁺ detection are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and unsuitable for rapid or on-site monitoring. In this study, we developed a facile, sensitive, and selective electrochemical sensing platform based on a Bi³⁺-rich metal–organic framework (MOF(Bi)) for reliable Cd²⁺ quantification in various tea-related matrices. The MOF(Bi) was synthesized via a solvothermal method and directly immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in a one-step modification process. To enhance Cd²⁺ preconcentration, cysteine was introduced as a complexing agent, while Nafion was employed to stabilize the sensing interface and improve reproducibility. The resulting Nafion/cys/MOF(Bi)/GCE sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity with a wide linear range from 0.2 and 25 μg/L, a low detection limit of 0.18 μg/L (S/N = 3), high selectivity against common interfering ions, and good stability. This platform enabled accurate tracking of Cd²⁺ transfer from polluted garden soil to raw tea leaves and finally into tea infusions, showing strong correlation with ICP-MS results. Our strategy not only offers a practical tool for on-site food safety monitoring but also provides new insights into heavy metal transfer behavior during tea production and consumption. Full article

The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low operating temperatures is critical for public health, environmental monitoring, and industrial safety, yet it remains a significant challenge for conventional sensor technologies. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as highly versatile precursors for creating advanced sensing materials. This review critically examines the transformation of MOFs into functional catalytic interfaces for low-temperature chemiresistive VOC sensing. We survey the key synthetic strategies, with a focus on controlled pyrolysis, that enable the conversion of insulating MOF precursors into semiconducting derivatives with tailored porosity, morphology, and catalytically active sites. This review establishes the crucial synthesis-structure-performance relationships that govern sensing behavior, analyzing how factors like calcination temperature and precursor composition dictate the final material’s properties. We delve into the underlying chemiresistive sensing mechanisms, supported by evidence from advanced characterization techniques such as in situ DRIFTS and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which elucidate the role of oxygen vacancies and heterojunctions in enhancing low-temperature catalytic activity. A central focus is placed on the persistent challenges of achieving high selectivity and robust performance in complex, real-world environments. We critically evaluate and compare strategies to mitigate interference from confounding gases and ambient humidity, including intrinsic material design and extrinsic system-level solutions like sensor arrays coupled with machine learning. Finally, this review synthesizes the current state of the art, identifies key bottlenecks related to stability and scalability, and provides a forward-looking perspective on emerging frontiers, including novel device architectures and computational co-design, to guide the future development of practical MOF-derived VOC sensors. Full article

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) are major atmospheric pollutants, and their escalating emissions, driven by rapid economic development and urbanization, pose a severe threat to both the ecological environment and human health. Conventional denitrification technologies are often hampered by high costs, significant energy consumption, and stringent operational conditions, making them increasingly inadequate in the face of tightening environmental regulations. In this context, photocatalytic technology, particularly systems based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), has garnered significant research interest for NO_x removal due to its visible-light responsiveness, high stability, and environmental benignity. To advance the performance of g-C₃N₄, numerous modification strategies have been explored, including morphology control, elemental doping, defect engineering, and heterostructure construction. These approaches effectively broaden the light absorption range, enhance the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and improve the adsorption and conversion capacities for NO_x. Notably, constructing heterojunctions between g-C₃N₄ and other materials (e.g., metal oxides, noble metals, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)) has proven highly effective in boosting catalytic activity and stability. Furthermore, the underlying photocatalytic mechanisms, encompassing the generation and migration pathways of charge carriers, the redox reaction pathways of NO_x, and the influence of external factors like light intensity and reaction temperature, have been extensively investigated. From an application perspective, g-C₃N₄-based photocatalysis demonstrates considerable potential in flue gas denitrification, vehicle exhaust purification, and air purification. Despite these advancements, several challenges remain, such as limited solar energy utilization, rapid charge carrier recombination, and insufficient long-term stability, which hinder large-scale implementation. Future research should focus on further optimizing the material structure, developing greener synthesis routes, enhancing catalyst stability and poison resistance, and advancing cost-effective engineering applications to facilitate the practical deployment of g-C₃N₄-based photocatalytic technology in air pollution control. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel porous crystalline materials formed through the self-assembly of metal ions and organic ligands. They have various advantages, including tunable chemical and electronic structures, high porosity, and large specific surface areas. Owing to their unique structural and physicochemical properties, MOFs have been widely applied in the fields of catalysis, supercapacitors, sensors, and drug recognition/delivery. However, the intrinsic poor stability and low electrical conductivity of conventional MOFs severely hinder their practical implementation. Graphdiyne (GDY), a unique carbon allotrope, features a new structure composed of both sp²- and sp-hybridized carbon atoms. Its distinct chemical and electronic configuration endow it with exceptional properties such as natural bandgap, uniform in-plane cavities, and excellent electronic conductivity. Integrating MOFs with GDY can effectively overcome the intrinsic limitations of MOFs and expand their potential applications. As emerging hybrid materials, MOF/GDY composites and their derivatives have attracted increasing attention in recent years. This article reviews recent advances in the synthesis strategies of MOF/GDY composites and their derivatives, along with their performance and applications in catalysis, energy storage, and biological sensors. It also discusses the future opportunities and challenges faced in the development of these promising composite materials, aiming to inspire interest and provide scientific guidance. Full article

In the present scenario, it is believed that the fabrication of cost-effective and environmentally friendly nanomaterials is of great significance for various optoelectronic and electrochemical applications. In the past few years, zinc sulfide and its composites with carbon-based materials, metal oxides, MXenes, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and other materials have been prepared for electrochemical applications. The ZnS-based materials exhibit good specific surface area, catalytic activity, and decent conductivity, which makes them promising materials for sensors and supercapacitors (SCs). In this review article, we briefly discuss the synthesis of ZnS using various methods, such as hydrothermal, microwave, sol–gel, electrochemical, and ultrasonication methods. Furthermore, ZnS and its composites for electrochemical sensors are reviewed. The limits of detection, sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the reported sensors are discussed. Furthermore, studies based on ZnS and its composites for SC applications are reviewed. It was found that ZnS-based composites exhibit good electrochemical performance for SCs. The limitations and prospects of ZnS-based materials are also discussed. We believe that the present review article may be useful for researchers who are involved in the fabrication of ZnS-based materials for SCs and electrochemical sensing applications. Full article

Biodiesel is an alternative, sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly energy source, which has generated interest from the scientific community due to its low toxicity, rapid biodegradability, and zero carbon footprint. Biodiesel is a biofuel produced by the transesterification of triglycerides or the esterification of free fatty acids (FFA). Both reactions require catalysts with numerous active sites (basic, acidic, bifunctional, or enzymatic) for efficient biodiesel production. On the other hand, since the late 1990s, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a new class of porous materials and have been successfully used in various fields due to their multiple properties. For this reason, MOFs have been used as heterogeneous catalysts or as a platform for designing active sites, thus improving stability and reusability. This literature review presents a comprehensive analysis of using MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts or supports for biodiesel production. The optimal parameters for transesterification/esterification are detailed, such as the alcohol/feedstock molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction time and temperature, conversion percentage, biodiesel yield, fatty acid and water content, etc. Additionally, novel methodologies such as ultrasound and microwave irradiation for obtaining MOF-based catalysts are described. It is important to note that most studies have shown biodiesel yields >90% and multiple reuse cycles with minimal activity loss. The bibliographic analysis was conducted using the American Chemical Society (ACS) Scifinder^® database, the Elsevier B.V. Scopus^® database, and the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science^® database, under the institutional license of the Universidad Veracruzana. Keywords were searched for each section, generally limiting the document type to “reviews” and “journals,” and the language to English, and published between 2000 and 2025. Full article

Phenolic compounds such as resorcinol (RS) have negative impacts on aquatic life, the environment, and human health. Thus, it is necessary to develop sensing devices for the monitoring of RS. The electrochemical method is one of the most significant approaches for the determination of toxic substances. In electrochemical methods, electrode modifiers play a vital role and affect the sensing performance of the electrochemical sensors. Thus, the selection of efficient electrode material is of great importance. In recent years, various electrode modifiers such as graphene, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MXenes, metal oxides, polymers, and composite materials have been extensively used for the fabrication of RS sensors. In this review, we have summarized the reported electrode modifiers for the fabrication of RS electrochemical sensors. Various electrochemical sensing techniques, including differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), amperometry (Amp), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) have been discussed. This review provides an overview of a large number of electrode modifiers for the determination of RS. The limitations, challenges, and future perspectives for RS sensors are discussed. We believe that the present review article is beneficial for the scientific community and electrochemists working on the construction of RS sensors. Full article