Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have recently received much interest because of their outstanding structural variety, high porosity, and tunable chemical activity. Understanding MOFs' physicochemical and mechanical properties is critical for customizing their properties to specific applications and assuring mechanical stability and performance. This chapter examines how MOFs' physicochemical and mechanical characteristics interact and what this means for material design. We address how structural properties affect MOFs' mechanical behavior, including porosity, surface area, pore size distribution, crystallinity, and phase purity. Furthermore, we investigate MOF design's trade-offs and optimization methodologies to obtain desirable physicochemical and mechanical property combinations. There is also a discussion of computational models and experimental methods for characterizing MOFs' physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. Finally, we discuss future prospects and problems in this sector, emphasizing the potential for improving MOFs in a variety of applications such as energy storage, environmental remediation, sensing, and medicinal technology. Researchers may pave the path for the creation of customized MOF materials with higher performance and widen their effect in varied industries by completely studying the physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of MOFs.
Distinguished from other categories of materials by having at least a single dimension between 1 and 100 nm, nanomaterials are a remarkable group of materials. By purposefully creating these nanoparticles, very large surface areas may be attained. In contrast to their bulk counterparts, they can display amazing catalytic, mechanical, optical, electrical along with magnetic characteristics. Tailoring the properties of nanomaterials to specific requirements is possible through precise control of size, shape, synthesis conditions, and suitable functionalization. The chapter discusses various methods for nanomaterial synthesis, encompassing both top-down and bottom-up approaches. The chapter explores the developments in nanomaterials in this context, with particular attention to fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes, silicene, antimonene, MXenes, 2D MOF nanosheets, boron nitride nanosheets, layered double hydroxides, nanoporous materials, core-shell nanoparticles, and metal-based nanomaterials. Ultimately, this chapter offers a comprehensive overview of nanomaterials and their properties.
Exploring novel antimicrobial agents has become increasingly imperative in the face of escalating antimicrobial resistance. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of crystalline materials renowned for their remarkable porosity and versatile functionalities, have emerged as promising candidates for combating microbial infections. This chapter offers a comprehensive overview of the antimicrobial properties of MOFs, shedding light on their synthesis, mechanisms of action, and potential applications in diverse fields. Commencing with a discussion on the global challenges of antimicrobial resistance, this chapter underscores the urgency for innovative approaches in antimicrobial research. The unique attributes of MOFs, including their tunable structures and the ability to encapsulate diverse bioactive molecules are examined in the context of designing effective antimicrobial agents. The rational design strategies employed to enhance the antimicrobial activity of MOFs are elucidated, encompassing the incorporation of metal nodes, functionalization of organic ligands, and synergistic combination with conventional antibiotics. The mechanisms underpinning the antimicrobial action of MOFs are explored, encompassing aspects such as membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and targeted intracellular delivery. The need for standardized testing methodologies, in-depth toxicity assessments, and thorough understanding of MOF-microbe interactions is emphasized in this chapter. The integration of computational approaches and the translation of laboratory findings to practical applications are identified as pivotal steps in harnessing the full potential of MOFs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. As the global healthcare community seeks innovative strategies to address the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance, MOFs stand at the forefront, poised to contribute transformative solutions in the pursuit of effective antimicrobial interventions.
