Employing hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks in optoelectronic applications

Due to their high porosity, thermal stability, and other desirable properties, two types of topological crystalline framework materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs), have been used for a decade in various applications, including energy storage, environmental catalysis, and optoelectronic devices. But more recently, another class of topological crystalline framework has emerged: hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs).

HOFs, which are already being employed in various fields, including gas separation and biomedicine, offer unique advantages compared to MOFs and COFs. The material’s low binding strength allows its hydrogen bonds to be reversed, suggesting a potential for recycling and regeneration. Additionally, the material’s lack of metal makes HOFs more lightweight and environmentally friendly.

Zhang et al. produced a guide to systematically introduce HOF materials and encourage their development.

The properties of HOFs make them ideal for various high-performance optoelectronic devices, especially sensors, memristors, neuromorphic computing, and bionic artificial synapses. HOFs, however, have not been thoroughly studied in these contexts.

“For researchers engaged in the study of HOFs materials, this guide offers a range of preparation methods and innovative ideas for application prospects,” said author Cheng Zhang.

The authors presented the latest advancements and electrical performances of HOFs. They summarized various synthesis and processing techniques, potential applications, and future challenges related to HOFs and HOF-based electronics, and provided more fundamental information about HOFs, such as the link between their structural design and performance.

“Additionally, newcomers to this field can grasp the underlying principles and mechanisms of HOFs, thereby enhancing their comprehension and deepening their research endeavors,” Zhang said.

Source: “Topological hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and their electronic applications in sensor, memristor, and neuromorphic computing,” by Cheng Zhang, Chenyu Wang, Chao Li, Tiansheng Zhang, Yucheng Jiang, Xinli Cheng, Kuaibing Wang, Chunlan Ma, and Yang Li, Applied Physics Reviews (2024). The article can be accessed at http://doi.org/10.1063/5.0211730 .

This paper is part of the open Quantum Metamaterials Collection, learn more here .