Nanoparticle-encapsulated metal-organic frameworks: innovative design strategies and biomedical applications

Abstract

Extremely porous compounds containing metal ions connected by organic ligands are referred to as metal-organic frameworks or MOFs, with special features including distinct crystal structure, huge surface area, high pore volume, adjustable pore architecture, and remarkable drug loading capacity. The limitations of individual components are overcome by a unique combination of MOFs with diverse materials, such as polymers, nanoparticles, and enzymes, to build sophisticated functional composites. The most useful are MOF composites encased in nanoparticles (NPs), which incorporate NP characteristics into MOFs for improved applications. Bioimaging, magnetic resonance imaging, photothermal treatment, and luminescence, is made possible by encapsulating magnetic (iron oxide), plasmonic (AuNPs, AgNPs), and optically active quantum dots in MOFs respectively. With an emphasis on design strategies, synthesis techniques, and their effectiveness in imaging, targeted drug delivery, and therapy, this review is focusing on nanoparticle-encapsulated MOF composites for cancer drug delivery, diagnosis, and therapy.