Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as one of the most transformative classes of functional materials that are redefining the landscape of electrochemical sensing and biosensing. MOFs provide a unique platform for engineering next-generation analytical systems with molecular-level precision due to their ultrahigh surface areas, tunable pore structures, diverse chemical functionalities, and modular architectures. The remarkable structural diversity of MOFs enables effective tailoring of host-guest interactions, catalytic activity, and charge transport pathways, thereby unlocking sensing capabilities that extend far beyond those achievable with conventional materials. Although the intrinsically low electrical conductivity of many MOFs initially limited their use, recent breakthroughs in conductive MOFs, defect engineering, heterostructure fabrication, and MOF-derived nanostructures have significantly transformed their electrochemical applications. These advances have provided large densities of accessible active sites, enhanced analyte adsorption, improved biomolecule immobilization, and efficient electrocatalytic activity, enabling highly sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of biomarkers, environmental pollutants metabolites, metal ions, nucleic acids, pathogens, and pharmaceuticals.
In this talk, I will review the fundamental principles governing electrochemical sensing and biosensing with MOFs, including charge transport mechanisms, electrode engineering, and signal amplification strategies. As examples, I will discuss our recent use of nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a typical class of MOFs, for highly sensitive and reliable electrochemical detection of dacarbazine and 4-aminophenol, including their use for determination in chemotherapeutic injection samples and water samples. Furthermore, I will highlight recent advances in the use of MOFs in environmental monitoring, food safety, healthcare diagnostics, and wearable sensing, while also discussing the key challenges associated with conductivity, stability, reproducibility, and commercialization.