Conductive metal–organic frameworks and networks: fact or fantasy?

Abstract

Electrical conduction is well understood in materials formed from inorganic or organic building blocks, but their combination to produce conductive hybrid frameworks and networks is an emerging and rapidly developing field of research. Self-assembling organic-inorganic compounds offer immense potential for functionalising material properties for a wide scope of applications including solar cells, light emitters, gas sensors and bipolar transparent conductors. The flexibility of combining two distinct material classes into a single solid-state system provides an almost infinite number of chemical and structural possibilities; however, there is currently no systematic approach established for designing new compositions and configurations with targeted electronic or optical properties. We review the current status in the field, in particular, the range of hybrid systems reported to date and the important role of materials modelling in the field. From theoretical arguments, the Mott insulator-to-metal transition should be possible in semiconducting metal-organic frameworks, but has yet to be observed. The question remains as to whether electro-active hybrid materials will evolve from chemical curiosities towards practical applications in the near term.

Proposed Modification of the Graphene Analogue Ni3(HITP)2 To Yield a Semiconducting Material

“…41 ) and Zn-SURMOF (Ref. 42 ). The electron and hole (light and heavy) effective masses for Ni and Cr monolayers and Cr 2 (HIPT) 3 -bpy are reported in Table 1.…”

Effects of ligand functionalization on the photocatalytic properties of titanium-based MOF: A density functional theory study

“…Furthermore, with respect to the pristine MIL-125, the water molecule adsorbs more strongly in NH 2 -MIL-125, which is also helpful for the water-splitting reactions. In summary, since the organic and inorganic ligands control the valence band and the conduction band of MOF material, 31,32 respectively, this provides us with an idea that for different photocatalytic reactions, we may be able to balance the optical response and the energy position of band edge by designing MOFs with different organic and inorganic ligands, so as to achieve the high efficiency of the photocatalytic process that we are concerned.…”

Graphene-Like Layers from Unconventional Carbon Sources: New Perspectives on Hybrid Materials and π-system Synergisms

“…The introduction of carbonaceous material into MOF structure can lead to an enhancement in non-specific adsorption improving the kinetics of adsorption. Furthermore, the conductivity and the high specific surface area of graphene can positively affect the dielectric and conducting properties of host materials, which could fulfill the recently highlighted request for MOFs with conducting properties for several applicative purposes [43,84].…”