MOF and MOF-derived photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution: Current status, challenges, and future outlook

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) serve as photocatalysts and precursors to porous materials for hydrogen evolution, with performance governed by light harvesting, charge transport, and accessible catalytic sites. This review examines MOF-based and MOF-derived photocatalysts, focusing on linker and metal-node engineering, cocatalyst incorporation, heterojunction construction, and precursor conversion. Studies indicate that catalytic activity depends on the identity and local environment of metal centers rather than metal loading or atomic dispersion alone. In addition, cocatalyst placement shortens electron-transfer distances, and proton-donating groups near isolated metal sites enhance hydrogen formation, highlighting the role of local proton supply. Chemically bonded heterointerfaces improve charge transfer and structural integrity, whereas porous or hollow structures facilitate reactant access and mass transport. For MOF-derived materials, conductivity gains and active-species protection are offset by pore collapse or restricted access to catalytic sites. Finally, active-state identification, long-term stability, and scalable synthesis are discussed, connecting structural design to practical hydrogen production.