Porphyrin-based MOFs for photocatalysis in water: advancements in solar fuels generation and pollutants degradation

Abstract

This review aims to provide a thorough summary of the versatile applications of porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks (PMOFs) as photocatalysts in an aqueous environment, specifically focusing on the production of solar fuels and the degradation of pollutants. The first section describes the fundamental attributes of porphyrin molecules as building units of stable PMOFs, efficient in photocatalysis under solar light irradiation in water. Key considerations, such as their light absorption and photophysical properties, are discussed, and the structures of several representative PMOFs are detailed. The subsequent section highlights the utilization of PMOFs and composites for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction in the presence of sacrificial electron donors as well as for the overall water splitting into H₂ and O₂. The third section focuses on the versatile utilizations of PMOFs and composites in the photodegradation of different kinds of emerging organic pollutant, showing their potential for environmental remediation. Finally, this review summarizes the current state-of-the art of the field together with proposing insights into the future prospects and opportunities to reach more efficient materials to advance into the development of practical applications.