Electronically conductive metal-organic framework-based materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted great attention due to their attractive characteristics such as ultrahigh specific surface area, interconnected and regular porosity, and intraframework chemical functionality. However, utilizing MOFs as promising candidates for electrochemical, electronic, and resistive gas sensing applications is quite challenging owing to the electronically insulating nature of most MOFs; designing MOFs and relevant materials that possess electrical conductivity thus becomes a crucial research topic. In this perspective, routes to create conductive MOF-based materials, including conductive MOFs, MOF-based composites, and MOF-derived materials, are introduced. Recent progress in the synthesis and applications of these electronically conductive MOF-based materials is highlighted, and the limitations and commonly seen issues for designing such materials and the potential strategies to overcome these challenges are also included.