Core-shell nanostructured metal-organic frameworks with encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetically recyclable catalysis

Abstract

Sustainable catalysis has been recognized to be critical in addressing the challenges related to environmental degradation and energy crisis. To this end, novel catalysts and catalytic processes that offer various merits including improved activity, selectivity, recyclability, and low energy requirements are being investigated. Owing to their large specific surface area, tunable pores, and multiple coordination unsaturated metal centers, core-shell nanostructured metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been employed in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, which are central to many types of industrial production. Apart from synergistic catalysis, magnetic core-shell MOFs (MNPs@MOFs) are expected to possess ease of separation, recyclability, and durability. This review evaluates the recent advances in the rational design of MNPs@MOFs towards magnetically recyclable catalysis. Various synthetic strategies for magnetic core-shell nanostructures with different morphologies and sizes are described, including ship-in-a-bottle, modified one-pot and bottle-around-ship methods. The progress of magnetic core-shell MOFs for improved catalytic performance in the areas of photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and traditional heterogeneous catalysis is discussed. The distinct advantages of encapsulated magnetic MOFs in magnetically recyclable catalysis compared to conventional nanocatalysts are also briefly summarized. Finally, the review offers insights into the future research directions for magnetic core-shell nanocatalysts based on MOFs, along with the associated perspectives and challenges. Therefore, it is expected that this review would offer valuable insights for the purposeful development of stable and recyclable magnetic core-shell MOFs, facilitating their use in sustainable catalytic applications.