J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 231: 193-244.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.02.009

• Review Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Shaping the future of solar-driven photocatalysis by reticular framework materials

Alamgira, Nouraiz Mushtaqa, Abrar Ahmada, Javaria Khayaban E Eruma, Lan Lic, Jinjie Qiand, Xusheng Wanga,b,*, Junkuo Gaoa,*   

  1. aChina-Uzbekistan Joint Laboratory on Advanced Porous Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
    bZhejiang Sci-Tech University Shengzhou Innovation Research Institute, Shengzhou 312400, China;
    cCollege of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
    dCollege of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
  • Received:2024-10-18 Revised:2025-02-18 Accepted:2025-02-18 Published:2025-10-01 Online:2025-03-05
  • Contact: *E-mail addresses: xswang@zstu.edu.cn (X. Wang), jkgao@zstu.edu.cn (J. Gao).

Abstract: Photocatalysis, harnessing abundant solar energy, presents a sustainable strategy to address the dual challenges of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. Among the emerging materials for photocatalytic applications, reticular framework materials, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), have attracted significant attention due to their high surface area, tunable architectures, and versatile chemical compositions. These properties enable efficient light harvesting and charge separation, making them promising candidates for various photocatalytic processes. This review systematically explores recent advancements in the synthesis and structural properties of MOFs, COFs, and HOFs, elucidating the complex mechanisms governing solar-driven photocatalysis and comparing their performance with a particular focus on their applications in CO2 reduction, H2 generation, H2O2 production, N2 fixation, and pollutant degradation. Key strategies for enhancing photocatalytic performance, including structural modifications, bandgap engineering, defect engineering, hybridization, and heterojunction formation, are critically analyzed. A comparative evaluation of reticular framework materials against traditional semiconductors is provided, considering factors such as efficiency, cost, and long-term stability. Furthermore, this review highlights the challenges related to stability and scalability, along with key achievements and barriers to practical implementation. This work offers possible insights to overcome existing limitations and improve efficiency. Ultimately, this comprehensive assessment highlights the pivotal role of reticular frameworks in advancing sustainable energy solutions and provides a roadmap for future research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

Key words: Reticular framework materials, Solar-driven photocatalysis, CO2RR (CO2 reduction reaction), HER (Hydrogen evolution reaction), H2O2, N2 fixation