Bibliometric and visualized analysis of metal‒organic frameworks in bone tissue engineering and bone diseases

BACKGROUND: Given their tunable structures, high porosity, and multifunctional therapeutic potential, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as versatile biomaterials for bone tissue engineering and bone-related diseases. Despite rapid research growth, a systematic and bone-specific bibliometric understanding of its knowledge structure, thematic evolution, and emerging research frontiers remains limited. METHODS: Publications on MOFs related to bone tissue engineering and bone diseases (2015-2025) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric and visualized analyses using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were performed to evaluate publication trends, global contributions, collaboration networks, journals, references, and keyword dynamics. Keyword frequency, co-occurrence clustering, trend topic analysis, thematic mapping, and citation burst detection were integrated to elucidate structural and temporal evolution. RESULTS: A total of 350 English-language publications were analyzed, showing a marked increase in annual output after 2022 but a decline in average citation rate. China was the most productive country, led by Sichuan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, while Australia and Canada achieved higher average citation impacts. Keyword analyses identified bone regeneration and osteogenesis as enduring cores, whereas temporal trends revealed a shift from early material synthesis and drug delivery to function-oriented, clinically motivated research. Emerging topics such as oxidative stress, photothermal therapy, corrosion resistance, and magnesium alloys highlight ongoing therapeutic integration and implant optimization. CONCLUSION: This study delineates the evolution of MOF-based bone research from material-centered exploration to clinically driven innovation, offering data-driven insights to guide future research and translational applications.