Recent progress in the synthesis, scaling, processing and technoeconomic analysis of metal-organic frameworks towards industrial applications

Economical and efficient synthesis and processing technologies are essential for industrial-level applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). To bridge the gap between lab-scale synthesis and commercial applications, we here provide a comprehensive and holistic review on the challenges of transitioning MOF materials from the laboratory agent to commercial products, and further to industrial-scale applications, with an emphasis on existing approaches and technologies for the large-scale synthesis and processing and technoeconomic feasibility of MOFs. We also pinpoint the fundamental principles on the metal-ligand reaction mechanism and elaborate on their impact on MOF synthesis and stability. In addition, novel synthesis mechanisms and processing methods and technologies are covered, such as electron-beam radiation method, melt-quench method, sol-gel method, liquid-phase sintering technology, monolithic technology, plasma/laser-assisted technology, etc. In particular, the importance of AI in the design, fabrication and processing of MOFs is highlignted in the current milieu of AI+materials paradigm. We thus aim to provide in-depth insights into the design and development of efficient and versatile synthetic and processing approaches and technologies to promote practical MOF-based applications in addressing the current global energy and environment challenges.