Recent progress in MOF-based flexible sensors: A review

MOF-based flexible sensors combine the unique properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—such as thermal stability, tunable porosity, controllable structure, and high specific surface area—with the adaptability of flexible substrates, which this integration creates sensors with strong potential for applications in sensing technologies and miniaturized electronic devices. This review presents an overview of the synthesis strategies for MOF-based flexible sensors and recent advancements in the applications for wearable devices, healthcare monitoring, and environmental pollutant detection. Simultaneously, current challenges in MOF-based flexible sensor synthesis are also discussed, along with future directions for advancing flexible sensor applications using MOF materials such as enhancing sensor sensitivity, stability and scalability for practical applications, particularly by improving MOF durability under harsh conditions, optimizing functionalization for better selectivity, and refining manufacturing techniques for large-scale production.