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doi: https://doi.org/10.53941/see.2024.100008
Younis, O., Xiao, X., Yang, J., Aly, K. I., Bakhite, E. A., & Yang, X. Advancements in Luminescent Metal-Organic Cages: Applications and Future Prospects. Science for Energy and Environment. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.53941/see.2024.100008
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Review

Advancements in Luminescent Metal-Organic Cages: Applications and Future Prospects

Osama Younis 1,2,*, Xiangyun Xiao 1, Jianxun Yang 3, Kamal I. Aly 4, Etify A. Bakhite 4, and Xinchun Yang 1,*

1 Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenzhen 518055, China

2 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharga 72511, Egypt

3 Three Gorges Daofu Renewables Co., Ltd. Ganzi 626700, China 

4 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Asyut 71516, Egypt

* Correspondence: osamayounis@sci.nvu.edu.eg (O.Y.); xc.yang@siat.ac.cn or yang.xinchun@hotmail.com (X.Y.)

Received: 19 September 2024; Revised: 12 October 2024; Accepted: 25 October 2024; Published: 1 November 2024

Abstract: Researchers worldwide are developing innovative luminescent systems with exceptional features like high sensitivity. Luminescent frameworks based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have emerged as promising candidates for various applications. Over the past decade, porous materials like metal-organic cages (MOCs) incorporating AIE luminogens (AIEgens) have demonstrated exceptional performance. Chirality plays a significant role in specific non-racemic luminescent systems, particularly circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Chiral organic materials coordinated with metals, including MOCs, have gained importance as they combine organic ligands and coordination-bonded metal centers, enabling the design of novel structures with CPL. These materials have shown exciting potential applications in fields like CPL-OLED, chiral recognition, and sensing. This review article provides an overview of the recent progress in emissive porous materials, specifically MOCs, and their possible applications. Additionally, the review focuses on the recent progress in AIEgen-based cages, CPL-active cages, and non-AIEgen-based cages, their practical applications in sensing and enantioselectivity, and future prospects. Key challenges in AIE-based POCs and MOCs include limited stability, affecting their use in wide-surface thin films, and the need to understand molecular structure and topology impacts. Future efforts should enhance luminescence efficiency and explore applications in chiral sensing, supramolecular assemblies, bioimaging, and optoelectronics, driving innovation in smart materials.

Keywords:

uminescence metal-organic cages porous AIE luminogens sensing enantioselectivity

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