Biomimetic synthesis of coordination network materials: Recent advances in MOFs and MPNs

Biomimetic synthesis merges the unprecedented properties of biominerals with the unique characteristics of synthetic materials to yield hybrid materials with hierarchical morphologies and tunable properties difficult to achieve via traditional physical or chemical synthesis. The biomimetic synthesis of coordination networks, such as metal–organic frameworks and amorphous coordination networks, is a relatively new member in the family of bioinspired or biomimetic materials. There is a growing interest in synthesizing organic–inorganic hybrid materials using biomimetic routes to exploit the synergistic properties of both the synthetic materials and biomaterials. These hybrid biomimetic materials show potential ground-breaking applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine ranging from gas separation to drug delivery and biocatalysis. In this review, we summarize the current state of synthesizing coordination networks using biomimetic routes, utilizing three major classes of materials, including synthetic polymers, biomolecules, and living entities. The biomimetic synthesis of coordination networks from these functional substrates has the potential to address global challenges in energy, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.