Recent advancements of metal–organic frameworks in sensing platforms: relevance in the welfare of the environment and the medical sciences with regard to cancer and SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Supramolecular architectures decorated with various conjugated building blocks give rise to numerous luminescent frameworks with interesting chemical and photophysical properties. The luminescence properties of these MOFs help global researchers achieve success in the field of recognition applications of MOFs for the detection of various targeted toxic analytes. In this regard, different MOF-based materials, along with their different host–guest recognition strategies, have been developed, emphasising selective and sensitive natures towards a particular analyte, which indeed helps in protecting our environment. The present review article discusses state-of-the art progress based on (i) advancement of electrochemical MOF-based sensors, (ii) detection of various waterborne pollutants & VOCs, and (iii) recent progress of MOFs in biomedical sciences, with regard to cancer & SARS-CoV-2, along with the advantages and current challenges to combat SARS-CoV-2 for the clinical purposes. Herein, detection of particular analytes along with their interactive mechanisms have been precisely described; however, it needs to be noted that detailed host–guest mechanistic revelations is not the topic of discussion in the present exploration. In this review, we have covered almost the last 14 years (2008–2022) of research on MOFs in the various sensing platforms. In a nutshell, the luminescent MOFs, along with their extraordinary applicability in the domains of chemical, biomedical and environmental arenas as welfare tools, have been studied in the present review article.