Metal-Organic Frameworks as Next-Generation Chemiresistive Sensors: From Fundamental Design to Advanced Applications

Shihzad Shakil, Fan Wang, Pengyu Sun, Zhihan Zhou, Xiaojing Lu, Jun Du, Jiarui Huang

Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 502-531.

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3) : 502-531. DOI: 10.7536/PC20251208
Review

Metal-Organic Frameworks as Next-Generation Chemiresistive Sensors: From Fundamental Design to Advanced Applications

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Abstract

Accurate and real-time sensing is fundamental to advancements in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial safety. However, conventional sensing materials such as metal oxides, conducting polymers, and carbon-based composites are constrained by intrinsic trade-offs between sensitivity, selectivity, and operational stability. To address these limitations, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a transformative class of materials, offering unparalleled structural tunability, ultrahigh surface areas, and programmable pore chemistry. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth analysis of MOF-based chemiresistive sensors, moving beyond a simple catalog of examples to establish a mechanistic understanding of how molecular-level design dictates sensing performance. We systematically deconstruct the evolution from often-insulating pristine MOFs to advanced composites where MOFs synergize with conductive fillers like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and polymers and to MOF-derived porous carbons and metal oxides. Each category is critically examined to highlight strategies for overcoming inherent challenges in electrical conductivity, response kinetics, and long-term stability. The review is structured to guide the researcher in the field from fundamental design principles and charge transport mechanisms to performance benchmarking against key metrics such as sensitivity, limit of detection, selectivity, and response/recovery times. A significant focus is placed on the integration of MOFs into next-generation applications, including flexible and wearable electronics, multi-parameter sensor arrays, and intelligent systems that leverage artificial intelligence for pattern recognition and drift compensation. Furthermore, we critically address the pivotal challenges hindering practical deployment, such as hydrothermal/chemical stability, mechanical robustness for wearable formats, and the urgent need for standardized testing protocols. By synthesizing insights from fundamental research and cutting-edge applications, this review serves as a rational design guide and a forward-looking perspective, outlining a concrete roadmap for harnessing the full potential of MOFs in the development of intelligent, reliable, and commercially viable next-generation chemiresistive sensing technologies.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Design principles of MOFs

3 MOFs in chemiresistive sensing

3.1 Basic principles

3.2 Pristine MOF-based sensors

3.3 MOF composites and hybrids

3.4 MOF-derived materials

3.5 Challenges in stability and practical deployment

4 Future outlook & emerging applications

4.1 Integration with novel transduction mechanisms and flexible electronics

4.2 The path to intelligent and cognitive sensing systems

4.3 Multi-modal and extreme-performance sensing

4.4 The path to commercialization

5 Conclusion and future perspectives

Key words

chemiresistive sensors / metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) / MOF composites / MOF-derived materials / selectivity / wearable sensors / artificial intelligence

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Shihzad Shakil , Fan Wang , Pengyu Sun , et al . Metal-Organic Frameworks as Next-Generation Chemiresistive Sensors: From Fundamental Design to Advanced Applications[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(3): 502-531 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20251208

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Funding

Scientific Research Project of Anhui Higher Education Institution(2024AH051843)
Scientific Research Project of Anhui Higher Education Institution(2024AH051839)
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