A mini-review on the recent advancement of electrospun MOF-derived nanofibers for energy storage

Synthesis of Nanosized γ-Cyclodextrin Metal-Organic Frameworks as Carriers of Limonene for Fresh-Cut Fruit Preservation Based on Polycaprolactone Nanofibers

To address the issue of bacterial growth on fresh-cut fruits, this paper reports the synthesis of nanosized γ-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) using an ultrasound-assisted method and their application as carriers of limonene for antibacterial active packaging. The effects of the processing parameters on the morphology and crystallinity of the CD-MOFs are investigated, and the results prove that the addition of methanol is the key to producing nanosized CD-MOFs. The limonene loading content of the nanosized CD-MOFs can reach approximately 170 mg g-1. The sustained-release behaviors of limonene in the CD-MOFs are evaluated. Molecular docking simulations reveal the distribution and binding sites of limonene in the CD-MOFs. CD-MOFs are deposited on the surfaces of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers via an immersion method, and limonene-loaded CD-MOF@PCL nanofibers are prepared. The morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and antibacterial activity of the nanofibers are also studied. The nanofiber film effectively inhibits bacterial growth and prolongs the shelf life of fresh-cut apples. This study provides a novel strategy for developing antibacterial active packaging materials based on CD-MOFs and PCL nanofibers.

The Potential of Electrospinning to Enable the Realization of Energy-Autonomous Wearable Sensing Systems

The market for wearable electronic devices is experiencing significant growth and increasing potential for the future. Researchers worldwide are actively working to improve these devices, particularly in developing wearable electronics with balanced functionality and wearability for commercialization. Electrospinning, a technology that creates nano/microfiber-based membranes with high surface area, porosity, and favorable mechanical properties for human in vitro and in vivo applications using a broad range of materials, is proving to be a promising approach. Wearable electronic devices can use mechanical, thermal, evaporative and solar energy harvesting technologies to generate power for future energy needs, providing more options than traditional sources. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of how electrospinning technology can be used in energy-autonomous wearable wireless sensing systems. It provides an overview of the electrospinning technology, fundamental mechanisms, and applications in energy scavenging, human physiological signal sensing, energy storage, and antenna for data transmission. The review discusses combining wearable electronic technology and textile engineering to create superior wearable devices and increase future collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the challenges related to conducting appropriate testing for market-ready products using these devices are also discussed.

Nanoscale designing of metal organic framework moieties as efficient tools for environmental decontamination

Environmental pollutants, being a major and detrimental component of the ecological imbalance, need to be controlled. Serious health issues can get intensified due to contaminants present in the air, water, and soil. Accurate and rapid monitoring of environmental pollutants is imperative for the detoxification of the environment and hence living beings. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous and highly diverse adsorbent materials with tunable surface area and diverse functionality. Similarly, the conversion of MOFs into nanoscale regime leads to the formation of nanometal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) with increased selectivity, sensitivity, detection ability, and portability. The present review majorly focuses on a variety of synthetic methods including the ex situ and in situ synthesis of MOF nanocomposites and direct synthesis of NMOFs. Furthermore, a variety of applications such as nanoabsorbent, nanocatalysts, and nanosensors for different dyes, antibiotics, toxic ions, gases, pesticides, etc., are described along with illustrations. An initiative is depicted hereby using nanostructures of MOFs to decontaminate hazardous environmental toxicants.

Self-Powered Infrared Photodetectors with Ultra-High Speed and Detectivity Based on Amorphous Cu-Based MOF Films

Amorphous metal-organic frameworks (aMOFs) start to challenge their crystalline equivalents due to their unique advantages, like lack of grain boundaries, isotropy, flexibility, numerous defects-induced active sites, etc. However, aMOFs are typically synthesized under rigorous conditions, and their properties and applications need to be further explored. In this work, highly transparent p-type amorphous Cu-HHTP films consisting of Cu²⁺ and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) were synthesized using a simple electrostatic spinning method and identified as p-a-Cu-HHTP. Besides, a p-a-Cu-HHTP/n-Si infrared photodetector (PD) operating on a self-powered basis with ultra-high speed (response time of 40 μs) and detectivity (1.2 × 10¹² Jones) has been developed, with a response time and detectivity that are record values for a MOF-based photodetector. In particular, the p-a-Cu-HHTP/n-Si PD can withstand high temperatures up to 180 °C without property change. Moreover, a flexible metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector based on p-a-Cu-HHTP is constructed, which shows excellent mechanical stability and photoresponse that remain unchanged after bending 120 times, implying its suitability for wearable optoelectronics. The new method to fabricate aMOFs, the unique p-a-Cu-HHTP, and its PDs initiated in this work opens up a new avenue in organic-inorganic hybrid optoelectronics.