Are MOFs ready for environmental applications: Assessing stability against natural stressors?

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as emerging porous crystalline materials comprising metal ions/clusters and organic linkers, display significant potential for applications in adsorption, separation, catalysis, and other environmental domains, owing to their intrinsic structural diversity. However, the stability of MOFs under various environmental conditions remains a critical challenge, potentially hindering their broader practical adoption. Hence, a thorough understanding of the effects of environmental factors on MOF stability is imperative. This review explores the impact of essential environmental parameters—including liquid water/moisture, acids/bases, coordinating anions, solar irradiation, bacteria, oxidation-reduction potential, natural organic matter, and minerals—on the structural integrity of MOFs. The underlying mechanisms by which these factors affect MOF stability are elucidated, and MOFs are classified according to their resilience or susceptibility under specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, illustrative case studies of both robust and vulnerable MOFs are discussed to highlight the principles guiding the selection of MOFs for diverse practical applications. The challenges and future direction in this field are also proposed. Overall, this review aims to serve as a critical resource, facilitating the effective transition of MOFs from laboratory settings to real implementations, thereby enhancing their practical utility and effectiveness in addressing challenges of environmental pollution control and energy-related issues.