About this Research Topic
Soft microporous materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous organic polymers (POPs) are solid-state three-dimensional supramolecular frameworks with an impressive range of applications due to their favorable properties. These materials exhibit desirable features such as high surface area, high porosity, structural diversity, tailored pore functionality and they can be similarly effective in size- and shape-selectivity. In addition, the structures can be photoresponsive through light absorption by the organic linker or the metal oxide nodes. These mentioned advantages offer MOFs and POPs for various applications within catalysis such as photocatalysis and even electrocatalysis.
This Research Topic aims to exhibit state-of-the-art catalytically active MOFs, POPs, and their composites, in environmental remediation, aqueous organic pollutant decontaminations as well as in visible-light-induced organic transformations (especially reactions occurring in the combination of heterogeneous catalysis and photocatalysis). Many MOF formulations are more or less sensitive to moisture which is one of the key limitations preventing MOFs from meeting the requirements of various applications. We are particularly interested in the design, synthesis, and development of porous materials that are stable under reaction conditions. In particular, stability in moisture or water conditions and even acidic or basic media are of key interest. In order for MOFs to be used more widely within catalytic applications, more insight into the mechanisms induced by these materials is needed, especially the study of active sites and the evolution of active species in catalytic/photocatalytic processes.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews on the design of porous materials for catalytic/photocatalytic applications, with a focus on, but not restricted to, the following research areas:
• Design and development of porous materials (POPs, MOFs, and their composites) with high catalytic/photocatalytic performance and good stability
• Stability studies of MOFs for applications within catalysis
• Application of porous materials for catalytic/photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants
• Application of porous materials for catalytic/photocatalytic organic transformations
• New experimental and computational insights into the catalytic/photocatalytic processes
Keywords: Metal-organic framework, porous organic polymers, hybrid materials, composites, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalyst, organic reactions, cascade reactions, degradation, decontamination
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
