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The utilization of polymer/metal organic framework (MOF) nanocomposites in various biomedical applications has been widely studied due to their unique properties that arise from MOFs or hybrid composite systems. This review focuses on the types of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in drug delivery and imaging applications. Initially, a comprehensive introduction to the synthesis and structure of MOFs and bio-MOFs is presented. Subsequently, the properties and the performance of polymer/MOF nanocomposites used in these applications are examined, in relation to the approach applied for their synthesis: (i) non-covalent attachment, (ii) covalent attachment, (iii) polymer coordination to metal ions, (iv) MOF encapsulation in polymers, and (v) other strategies. A critical comparison and discussion of the effectiveness of polymer/MOF nanocomposites regarding their synthesis methods and their structural characteristics is presented.

Impregnated cotton textiles with a MOF based nanocomposite revealed a supreme multi-functionality to adsorb/degrade/sense vapors of a nerve agent surrogate.

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Ultradeep desulfurization of fuels is a method of enormous demand due to the generation of harmful compounds during the burning of sulfur-containing fuels, which are a major source of environmental pollution. Among the various desulfurization methods in application, adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) has low energy demand and is feasible to be employed at ambient conditions without the addition of chemicals. The most crucial factor for ADS application is the selection of the adsorbent, and, currently, a new family of porous materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), has proved to be very effective towards this direction. In the current review, applications of MOFs and their functionalized composites for ADS are presented and discussed, as well as the main desulfurization mechanisms reported for the removal of thiophenic compounds by various frameworks. Prospective methods regarding the further improvement of MOF’s desulfurization capability are also suggested.

Over the last decades, there has been significant progress toward the development of advanced electrochemical processes in the fields of energy production and storage, surface modification of materials and environmental remediation. Within the context of biomass valorization and biorefineries, the electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), one of the top biomass-derived platform chemicals, to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a valuable monomer and building block of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), has emerged as a promising sustainable alternative to the chemo-catalytic synthesis paths. An additional asset of the electrochemical route is the simultaneous production of H2. The rational design of efficient nanocatalysts and nanoengineered anodes requiring lower oxidation potential is anticipated to lead to HMF electrocatalytic oxidation at even smaller applied voltage. Additionally, the utilization of heterogeneous photocatalysis combined with advantages offered by photoelectrodes capable to utilize directly the solar light, known as photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis, can limit the application of external voltage. This review covers all recent developments related to electrochemical oxidation of HMF to FDCA, with emphasis on the nanoengineered anodes and their structural, morphological and chemical features, as well as with regard to the associated reaction mechanisms. The potential of solar-driven photoelectrochemical oxidation methods and continuous flow electrochemical oxidation is also discussed.

Graphitic carbon nitride, GCN, was oxidized using the Hummers' method. Both initial andm odified materials were extensively characterizedb yv ariousp hysical and chemical methods. The results showed the marked changes in morphology.E ven though the shortrange layered structure was still present in the oxidized sample, spherical nanoparticles with 5-50 nm sizes made up the bulk of the material. This resultsi nt he development of porosity in the mesopore range. Incorporation of oxygen groups at the edges of carbon nitrogen layers/ units is likely responsible for the formation of nanospheres (folding due to the polar forces). This process also increased the band gap energy from 2.85 to 3.39 eV.The initial ando xidized samples were used as reactivea dsorbents of am ustard gas surrogate. The results showeda n improvement in the adsorptive performance upon oxidation. Both samples were found photoactive in visible light. The degradation to ethyl vinyl sulfide was enhanced on the oxidized sample owing to the developed porosity and chemical heterogeneity.In recent years, an ew metal-freep olymeric semiconductor with al ayered structure, graphitic carbon nitride (GCN), entered the exclusive club of 'graphitic' compounds and attracted tremendous worldwide attention because of its visible-light range band gap energy,e xcellent thermal/chemical stability and tunable electronic structure. The main difference between GCN and graphite is the switch of every other carbon atom by nitrogen in the honeycomb motif where both Ca nd Nh ave sp 2 hybridization. Even thought he insertion of electrons to the anti-bonding molecular orbitals leads to the enhancedf ormation of holes, [1] the main drawback of the rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs limits the photocatalytic activity of GCN.[2] Since the first report from Wang et al. of GCN as a' metal-free' photocatalystf or visible-light-driven H 2 production from water in 2009, [3] many studies focusedo nt he improvement of the photocatalytic performance (especially for water splitting) via the incorporation of metals, quantum dots, polymers and graphene. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Av ariety of chemical andp hysical modifications has been appliedt oi ncrease the conductivity, delay charge recombination, increase proton concentration and open up the band gap.[12] They include an incorporation of heteroatoms, nanosheet preparation or buildingc omposites with visible-light-active or semiconducting phases. [13][14][15] It has been recently reported that some oxidationm ethods preserve the graphite-like structure in the nanoscale range.[15-17] For both initial and modifiedG CN nanosheets variousa pplications have been reported. [14,15,18] The objective of this study is to derive an ew form of GCN on which the visible-light driven oxidation would be improved. To do it,t he well-known and often appliedt og raphite Hummers' oxidation methodw as used.[20] As ar esult, an anospherical catalyst( GCNox)w ith an enhanced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of 2-chloroethyl e...