Effects of physical characteristics on metal–organic frameworks adsorption performance for water vapor: a review

Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as one of the most rapidly advancing classes of porous materials in recent years, exhibit remarkable advantages in water vapor adsorption owing to their highly tunable pore structures, abundant surface active sites, and superior responsiveness to humidity. This review systematically investigates effects of key physical characteristics—including pore size, specific surface area, and pore volume—on the water vapor adsorption behavior of MOFs. By conducting a comparative analysis of performance data from nearly sixty representative MOFs, the study elucidates how distinct structural features govern adsorption mechanisms and thereby affect water uptake, such as chemisorption at low humidity, hydrogen-bonded molecular cluster formation within pores, and capillary condensation at medium to high humidity. The results demonstrate that microporous MOFs display characteristic step-shaped adsorption profiles and excellent cycling stability under low-humidity conditions, whereas mesoporous MOFs exhibit pronounced step-shaped adsorption accompanied by hysteresis loops at medium to high humidity. Research on large-pore MOFs remains limited due to challenges in maintaining structural stability. Increasing pore size generally enhances both specific surface area and pore volume, thereby enabling higher maximum saturation capacities. Furthermore, this review discusses the correlation between these physical characteristics and representative application scenarios—including indoor dehumidification and atmospheric water harvesting—providing theoretical insights and practical guidance for the rational design and optimization of MOFs.