Cages meet gels: smart materials with dual porosity

Abstract

Soft materials have found use in many areas such as medicine, robotics, and battery research. These advances are the result of the properties of gels stemming from both their solid- and liquid-like features. However, fine-tuning of these properties and an onset of new applications can be envisaged if gels are coupled to metal-organic cages (MOCs), discrete three-dimensional structures containing well-defined cavities. In this Perspective, we review the types of cage/gel smart materials synthesized until now, their properties, and potential applications such as molecular separations, catalysis, and luminescent materials. Finally, we highlight current challenges and opportunities for future research.