Post-Synthetic Surface Modification of Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Potential Applications

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous hybrid materials with countless potential applications. Most of these rely on their porous structure, tunable composition, and the possibility of incorporating and expanding their functions. Although functionalization of the inner surface of MOF crystals has received considerable attention in recent years, methods to functionalize selectively the outer crystal surface of MOFs are developed to a lesser extent, despite their importance. This article summarizes different types of post-synthetic modifications and possible applications of modified materials such as: catalysis, adsorption, drug delivery, mixed matrix membranes, and stabilization of porous liquids. The authors acknowledge financial support by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-116998RB-I00), Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional (PRX21/00407), Conselleria de Innovacion, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital (CIPROM/2021/022), and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). This study forms part of the Advanced Materials programme and was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana.