Void Engineering in Metal–Organic Frameworks via Synergistic Etching and Surface Functionalization

The rational design and engineering of metal–organic framework (MOF) crystals with hollow features has been used for various applications. Here, a top-down strategy is established to construct hollow MOFs via synergistic etching and surface functionalization by using phenolic acid. The macrosized cavities are created inside various types of MOFs without destroying the parent crystalline framework, as evidenced by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The modified MOFs are simultaneously coated by metal–phenolic films. This coating endows the MOFs with the additional functionality of responding to near infrared irradiation to produce heat for potential photothermal therapy applications.