Plasmonic Nanoparticle-Metal-Organic Framework (NP-MOF) Nanohybrid Platforms for Emerging Plasmonic Applications

Because of the versatility of plasmonic nano-particles, there have been major improvements in tailoring the plasmonic effects for a plethora of applications. However, a major bottleneck of plasmonic platforms is the poor performance for nonadsorbing molecules because the plasmon-induced properties are strongest only at the plasmonic surface. To address this fundamental challenge, porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are increasingly incorporated with plasmonic nanoparticles (NP) platform to form plasmonic NP-MOF nanohybrid. Integrating porous MOFs with plasmonic NP enhances the applicability of the nanohybrid by allowing each material to complement each other and can give rise to additional functionalities. In this Perspective, we discuss the latest progress in the development of NP-MOF nanohybrid platforms. We focus on the strategies to fabricate different types of NP-MOF nanohybrids, and their corresponding properties and characteristics, which dictate their subsequent applications. We highlight how the combinative strengths of each material can achieve multiplicative and synergistic breakthrough in current and emerging plasmonic applications, including chemical sensing using LSPR, SERS, and SEIRA, driving and monitoring gas-liquid reactions, probing interactions at the NP-MOF interface, MOF- and plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis, and chemo-photothermal therapy. Finally, we conclude our discussion and present a critical outlook that explores the challenges and future opportunities in the design and applications of NP-MOF nanohybrids.