Confining copper (I) iodide (CuI) modules in metal organic frameworks (MOFs): Structures and applications of CuI-MOFs

Bulk Copper(I) iodide (CuI) has been extensively investigated due to its interesting properties and promising applications in photodetectors, piezoelectrics, and transparent transistors. it forms multiple structural phases ( α , β and γ ), each exhibiting distinct structure-dependent properties, for example, the α - and β -CuI phases act as superionic conductors, whereas γ- CuI functions as a transparent p -channel transistor in p - n hetero/homojunction optoelectronic devices. Consequently, developing hybrid materials incorporating functional {Cu x I y } modules with diverse structures is highly desirable. Coordination assembly, enabled by the formation of coordinate bonds between CuI and organic ligands, has proven to be an efficient strategy for synthesizing Cu x I y ( L ) z hybrids (L = N-, S-, or P-based organic ligand). Further structural tunability can be achieved by constructing {Cu x I y } modules within metal organic frameworks (MOFs), where various coordination modes between metal centers and organic linkers enable a broader range of architectures. Tailoring bulk CuI into discrete {Cu x I y } motifs and periodically assembling them into ordered MOF frameworks under confined environments can lead to CuI-MOFs with enhanced structure-dependent properties distinct from those of pristine CuI. This review summarizes recent advances in CuI-MOFs, emphasizing the structural characteristics of {Cu x I y } modules confined within MOFs and their associated applications. Our aim is to highlight a powerful approach for designing functionally tailored materials, featuring unique structures and customizable properties through the integration of functional inorganic modules into MOFs. For clarity, this review excludes Cu x I y ( L ) z compounds constructed solely from {Cu x I y } modules and organic ligands.