2D metal-organic frameworks as an emerging platform with tunable electronic structures

Two-dimensional conductive metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) are an emerging class of electronic materials drawing vast interest due to the intrinsic tunability of chemical and electronic properties, which could provide an exceptional degree of functionality. Applications of c-MOFs, however, remain relatively underexplored, with limited organic building blocks and synthetic methodologies to realize the fine-tunability of the electronic structure. In this perspective, we outline key techniques for investigating the band gap and the respective band energies of 2D c-MOFs. Next, we highlight several approaches for tuning the electronic structure of 2D c-MOFs with structural perturbations. Continued understanding of structure-function relationships and methods of fine-tuning c-MOF electronic structures will enable a wide range of accessible electronic properties and establish foundational knowledge pivotal for their future electronic applications.