Nanoscale coordination polymers: synthesis, characterization, and emerging biomedical applications

Nanoscale coordination polymers (NCPs) encompassing both crystalline nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) and amorphous coordination polymer nanoparticles have emerged as adaptable hybrid materials. They have adjustable composition, porosity, and surface functionality. These characteristics allow for precise control over drug loading, release timing, and biological interactions. NCPs are therefore promising choices for theranostics, imaging, and therapy. This review points out recent advancements in the synthesis and nanoscale engineering of NCPs. It highlights relevant structure-property relationships that affect biomedical performance. Quantitative benchmarks from recent literature are incorporated to illustrate the advantages of NCP platforms (e.g. ZIF-8 drug loading up to ∼70–80 wt% versus