Microporous prussian blue analogs and their application for environmental remediation: A deeper look from the structure-property-functionality perspective

The current review aims to provide the readers with an updated and explanatory overview of the PBA and related materials and how their structural features make them suitable for various environmental applications. Here we review the relevant structural aspects of the cyanide coordination polymers, mainly PBA, the most studied subfamily up to date, to describe this family of compounds better. Their porous nature, large surface area, cavities, and tunable composition stand out as attractive properties of PBA or hybrid-PBA for water and air decontamination. The most distinguished physicochemical properties and how they determine the versatility and broad scope of applications for these materials are herein discussed. A section is dedicated to the different engineering strategies of PBA, where the synergy between the components enhances the properties and performance of the new materials. The use of these compounds in adsorption, ionic exchange, desalinization, and advanced oxidation processes is described based on the tight structure-properties-functionality relationship. Some final considerations on the future potentials and limitations of cyanide coordination polymers are given from the authors' point of view.