Titanium-based metal–organic frameworks for photocatalytic applications

Highlights

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Ti-MOFs could be synthesized by several important approaches.

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Ti-MOFs are constructed from secondary building blocks with diverse topologies.

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Bandgap engineering is a strategy to improve photocatalytic performance of Ti-MOFs.

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Ti-MOFs show promising photocatalytic performance in various reactions.

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Ti-MOFs present applications in storage and separation, and energy fields.

Abstract

Titanium-based metal–organic frameworks (Ti-MOFs) are considered one of the most appealing subclasses of the MOFs family owing to their promising optoelectronic and photocatalytic properties, high thermal and chemical stability, and unique structural features. Restricted by their challenging synthesis, however, only limited Ti-MOFs have been reported and utilized so far. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the synthesis, structures and photocatalytic applications of Ti-MOFs reported to date, particularly focusing on the synthetic strategy to develop new Ti-MOF structures and composites as photocatalysts with high sunlight harvesting efficiency and photocatalytic activity. Photocatalytic applications including photocatalytic redox reactions, water splitting, organic pollutant degradation, polymerization, deoximation reaction and sensors are highlighted. For wider interests, other applications of Ti-MOFs are also briefly introduced. This review aims to provide up-to-date developments of Ti-MOFs beneficial to researchers who currently work or are interested in this field.