Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by their tunable porosity, high surface area, and structural diversity, have emerged as promising materials for photocatalysis. To address inherent limitations of pristine MOFs such as restricted light absorption, rapid charge recombination, and insufficient active sites, MOF composites have emerged and been widely applied in photocatalysis. This review focuses on the classifications of MOF composites, emphasizing component selection and synergistic effect. Then recent environmental and energy-related photocatalytic applications are systematically discussed, including contaminant degradation, water splitting, CO₂ reduction, and N₂ fixation. Finally, the further trends and challenges of MOF composites for photocatalysis are proposed. We hope that this review can provide a forward-looking perspective on MOF composites as next-generation photocatalysts and offer actionable strategies to promote the resolution of energy crisis and environmental pollution.

Multiphoton bioimaging benefits from good penetration of tissue, low phototoxicity and high resolution. Hence, development of efficient multiphoton imaging agents is highly desirable but remains challenging. Herein, a novel terpyridine-based Zn(II) complex bearing a thiophene bridge was designed rationally and fabricated. Thanks to its aggregation-induced emission (AIE), DZ1 emitted bright yellow-green fluorescence (λ_em = 575 nm) under physiological conditions. The three-photon spectral changes of DZ1 when binding with RNA unambiguously reflected its RNA-specific targeting behaviour, resulting in twofold enhancement in three-photon action cross-sections located at the second near-infrared window (1700 nm).

While metal nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great promising applications as heterogeneous catalysts, their agglomeration caused by thermodynamic instability is detrimental to the catalytic performance. To tackle this hurdle, we successfully prepared a functional and stable porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF), PCN-224-RT, as a host for encapsulating metal nanoparticles by direct stirring at room temperature. As a result, Pt@PCN-224-RT composites with well-dispersed Pt NPs can be constructed by introducing pre-synthesized Pt NPs into the precursor solution of PCN-224-RT. Of note, the rapid and simple stirring method in this work is more in line with the requirements of environmental friendly and industrialization compared with traditional solvothermal methods.

Designing new oxygenation nanomaterials by oxygen-generating or oxygen-carrying strategies in hypoxia-associated anti-tumor therapy is a high priority target yet challenge. In this work, we fabricated a nanoplatform involving Fenton-like reaction, Pd@MOF-525@HA, to relieve tumor hypoxia via oxygen-generating strategy for enhanced oxygen-dependent anti-tumor therapy. Thereinto, the porphyrinic MOF-525 can produce singlet oxygen (¹O₂) via light or ultrasonic irradiation for photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy. Notably, the well-dispersed Pd nanocubes within MOF-525 can convert H₂O₂ into O₂ to mitigate the hypoxic environment for enhanced therapy outcome. Moreover, the two-photon activity and cancer cell specific targeting capability of Pd@MOF-525@HA gave rise to deeper tissue penetration and near-infrared light-induced fluorescence imaging to achieve precise guidance for cancer therapy. This work provides a feasible way in designing new oxygenation nanomaterials to relieve tumor hypoxia for enhanced cancer treatment. Graphical Abstract