Composites Based on Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanomaterials and Metal-Organic Frameworks: Fabrication and Bioapplications

The composites fabricated by lanthanide-doped upconversion nanomaterials (UCNMs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess the merits of both parent materials, exhibiting great potential for bioapplications. This chapter provides an overview of recent advances in UCNM-MOF composites, with an emphasis on the fabrication and bioapplications of newly developed UCNM-MOF composites. According to the configuration of reported UCNM-MOF composites, the developed strategies for fabricating the composites are divided into three types: in situ encapsulation, partial embedment, and interfacial attachment. The fabrication process, mechanisms, merits, and limitations of these fabrication strategies are discussed. Bioapplications of UCNM-MOF composites, including therapy, bioimaging, and biosensing, are then illustrated by selected examples. The chapter also provides some perspectives on the future development of UCNM-MOF composites.