Current trends in the synthesis, characterization and application of metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of porous inorganic-organic high profile hybrid compounds that have attracted much attention in recent times due to their stunning properties. MOFs exhibit a large specific surface area (10 400 m² g⁻¹), high porosity (90%), high loading efficiency, uniform structural nanoscale cavities, tunable pore sizes (from micropores to mesopores), easy functionalization and post-synthetic modification, thermal and water stability, biocompatibility and biodegradability which make them better-performing materials than graphene, graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles in some crucial applications. In this review, the up-to-date advances in the methods of synthesis, characterization, and areas of MOF application have been presented. The conditions, strengths, and weaknesses of the various methods of synthesis and characterization have been highlighted. The applications of MOFs in biosensing, drug delivery, adsorption, catalysis, and energy and fuel storage have been explored. A perspective is given on the future expectations in the synthesis, characterization and applications of MOFs. This review will serve as a compendium of references to aid further studies in MOFs.