Chitosan based metal organic frameworks Promising materials f 2026 Next Mat

Hybrid materials created from chitosan and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered substantial attention due to their remarkable properties and versatility in varying biomedical and environmental applications. As a natural linear polysaccharide obtained from the deacetylation of chitin, chitosan is acknowledged for its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the presence of reactive –OH and –NH2 groups that facilitate easy structural modifications. MOFs are recognized for their high surface area, structural flexibility, and tunable porosity. The stability of these composites emerges from the complex formation between chitosan's functional groups and the metal centers of the MOFs, including interactions like hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. In environmental contexts, chitosan-MOF composites are effective in adsorbing various inorganic and organic pollutants. The adsorption mechanisms involve π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. In biomedicine, chitosan-MOF composites show promise as materials for drug delivery, wound healing, and antimicrobial applications, leveraging the biocompatibility of chitosan alongside the structural versatility of MOFs. This review elucidates different synthetic routes for creating chitosan-MOF composites and explores their potential applications in biomedicine and environmental remediation, while also reviewing current advancements, challenges, and future prospects in this field.