Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) made by bridging metal-containing nodes with organic ligands are a type of ordered porous materials. The first case of MOFs reported by Yaghi et al. in 1995 sparked a frenzy in the research on MOFs. The past decade has witnessed the rapid development of such types of materials.
Graphic Abstract: The review systematically introduced and discussed the preparation and applications of 2D MOLs, based on which the challenges and perspectives in development of 2D MOL materials were put forward. Credit: Science China Press However, because of the limitation on material thickness, their applications in separation, catalysis, and biosensors are inevitably adversely affected. The preparation of two-dimensional (2D) ultrathin MOF nanosheets (also called metal-organic layers (MOLs)) could be an alternative to further enhance or extend the functionalities of MOFs. In MOLs, active centers are well exposed…