Metal–organic framework (MOF)
nanoparticles, also called
porous coordination polymers, are a major part of nanomaterials science,
and their role in catalysis is becoming central. The extraordinary
variability and richness of their structures afford engineering synergies
between the metal nodes, functional linkers, encapsulated substrates,
or nanoparticles for multiple and selective heterogeneous interactions
and activations in these MOF-based nanocatalysts. Pyrolysis of MOF-nanoparticle
composites forms highly porous N- or P-doped graphitized MOF-derived
nanomaterials that are increasingly used as efficient catalysts especially
in electro- and photocatalysis. This review first briefly summarizes
this background of MOF nanoparticle catalysis and then comprehensively
reviews the fast-growing literature reported during the last years.
The major parts are catalysis of organic and molecular reactions,
electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and views of prospects. Major challenges
of our society are addressed using these well-defined heterogeneous
catalysts in the fields of synthesis, energy, and environment. In
spite of the many achievements, enormous progress is still necessary
to improve our understanding of the processes involved beyond the
proof-of-concept, particularly for selective methane oxidation, hydrogen
production, water splitting, CO2 reduction to methanol,
nitrogen fixation, and water depollution.