Glass formation, structure, relaxation, and property of metal-organic framework (MOF) glasses: A review

Abstract

Metal-organic framework (MOF) glasses have emerged as a novel fourth class of inorganic-organic hybrid glasses, separate from traditional inorganic, organic, and metallic glasses. They exhibit unique properties and hold significant potential for diverse applications. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the systematic classification, glass-forming methods, structure, and relaxation. Additionally, we present an extensive examination of various properties such as mechanical features, optical characteristics, and thermal transport aspects; as well as applications encompassing gas absorption and separation, ion transport, catalysis, and phosphorescence. Notably, a focused examination of recently reported novel carboxylic MOF glasses, in conjunction with previously unaddressed studies on relaxation dynamics and thermodynamics, serves to emphasize the significant challenges encountered by MOF glasses while simultaneously highlighting promising opportunities.