Metal organic and covalent organic framework-based QCM sensors for environmental pollutant detection and beyond

Environmental pollution has become a major global issue, worsened by the rapid growth of industries. Traditional pollutant detection methods often require high operational temperatures and exhibit limited sensitivity and selectivity. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) sensors have emerged as a promising alternative, offering high sensitivity, affordability, and precise measurements at room temperature. This review explores the integration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), into QCM sensors to boost their performance. MOFs, with their high porosity and surface tunability, and COFs, known for their exceptional chemical and thermal stability, are examined for applications such as gas detection, heavy metal sensing, and thin film measurements. Our findings indicate that MOF/COF substrates on QCM electrodes enhance assay efficiency and sensor sensitivity, offering quick responses, good stability, compact size, and nanogram-level detection. Enhancements in porosity, sensitivity, and selectivity, along with integration with other methods, promise significant advancements. We discuss the synthesis methods, properties, and advantages of MOF- and COF-based QCM sensors. Additionally, we address the challenges and future perspectives of these advanced materials in QCM sensor technology, aiming to pave the way for innovative solutions in pollutant detection and environmental safety.