MOFs as platforms for multiscale structural regulation: new frontiers in photocatalyst design

Photocatalysis plays a pivotal role in sustainable technology, driving pollutant degradation and energy conversion through solar-driven chemical reactions. However, conventional photocatalysts are limited by their structural tunability, hindering their adaptability to evolving photocatalytic applications. This underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to overcome these challenges. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with their tunable structures, offer a promising solution by overcoming these limitations. Here, we demonstrate a comprehensive overview of the structural regulation strategies in MOFs, emphasizing their evolution across multiple scales to enhance photocatalytic performance. This review begins by detailing the photoelectric and structural characteristics of MOFs and their development in structural regulation strategies for photocatalytic effectiveness. An in-depth analysis is undertaken into structural regulation strategies across multiple scales—macroscale, mesoscale, atomic-scale, and electronic-scale. The synergistic interactions among these levels are further explored, revealing their collective contribution to improved photocatalytic efficiency. These insights emphasize that the adaptable design strategies of MOFs serve as promising pathways for advancements in photocatalyst engineering. Finally, we examine the current photocatalytic applications of tunable structures in MOFs and provide perspectives on future challenges and advancements in this field. This review offers critical insights into MOF structural regulation, highlighting its role in driving innovations in photocatalyst design and expanding photocatalytic technologies.