Recent advances in lanthanide-based metal–organic frameworks for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution applications

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a promising clean fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels with water as its only combustion byproduct. Given several hydrogen production methods, photocatalytic water splitting stands out due to its potential for harnessing abundant solar energy to generate hydrogen. Among numerous photocatalysts reported for water-splitting, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity due to their enormous surface area. In this field, lanthanide-based MOFs (Ln-MOFs) have emerged as exceptional photocatalysts due to their unique properties and customizable structures, enhancing light absorption and charge separation. Recent advancements in the development of Ln-MOFs have demonstrated their potential to achieve notable hydrogen evolution rates under solar irradiation, positioning them at the forefront of renewable energy research. The introduction of Ln-MOFs into photocatalytic water-splitting marks a new era with a multitude of exciting possibilities ahead. In this context, a comprehensive overview of the trends and technologies involved in designing and understanding Ln-MOFs for water splitting is essential to developing efficient catalysts with enhanced properties. Here, we focus exclusively on the role of Ln-MOFs in photocatalytic water splitting, providing an in-depth analysis of their photocatalytic performance and stability. This review systematically classifies Ln-MOFs based on modifications in their frameworks, examining how these changes influence their properties and overall efficiency in hydrogen production. The review highlights the progress made in the field while addressing the gaps in current knowledge, particularly in understanding the mechanisms that govern the performance of Ln-MOFs. Moreover, it outlines future directions for enhancing the efficiency and stability of Ln-MOFs in hydrogen production, offering valuable insights that could guide further research. In summary, this review will aid the naïve and young researchers in the MOF domain to gain comprehensive knowledge on the nuances of lanthanide-based Ln-MOFs and appreciate their significant role in developing new technology for H₂ production.