Graphene-Based Metal-Organic Framework Hybrids for Applications in Catalysis, Environmental, and Energy Technologies

Current energy and environmental challenges demand the development and design of multifunctional porous materials with tunable properties for catalysis, water purification, and energy conversion and storage. Because of their amenability to de novo reticular chemistry, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become key materials in this area. However, their usefulness is often limited by low chemical stability, conductivity and inappropriate pore sizes. Conductive two-dimensional (2D) materials with robust structural skeletons and/or functionalized surfaces can form stabilizing interactions with MOF components, enabling the fabrication of MOF nanocomposites with tunable pore characteristics. Graphene and its functional derivatives are the largest class of 2D materials and possess remarkable compositional versatility, structural diversity, and controllable surface chemistry. Here, we critically review current knowledge concerning the growth, structure, and properties of graphene derivatives, MOFs, and their graphene@MOF composites as well as the associated structure-property-performance relationships. Synthetic strategies for preparing graphene@MOF composites and tuning their properties are also comprehensively reviewed together with their applications in gas storage/separation, water purification, catalysis (organo-, electro-, and photocatalysis), and electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Current challenges in the development of graphene@MOF hybrids and their practical applications are addressed, revealing areas for future investigation. We hope that this review will inspire further exploration of new graphene@MOF hybrids for energy, electronic, biomedical, and photocatalysis applications as well as studies on previously unreported properties of known hybrids to reveal potential "diamonds in the rough".

Metal-organic framework (MOF) composites as promising materials for energy storage applications

Metal-organic framework (MOF) composites are considered to be one of the most vital energy storage materials due to their advantages of high porousness, multifunction, various structures and controllable chemical compositions, which provide a great possibility to find suitable electrode materials for batteries and supercapacitors. However, MOF composites are still in the face of various challenges and difficulties that hinder their practical application. In this review, we introduce and summarize the applications of MOF composites in batteries, covering metal-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, lithium-oxygen batteries and zinc-air batteries, as well as supercapacitors. In addition, the application challenges of MOF composites in batteries and supercapacitors are also summarized. Finally, the basic ideas and directions for further development of these two types of electrochemical energy storage devices are proposed.

Metal-organic framework-derived MCF/PPy/MoS2 hybrid nanocomposites as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

Transition metal sulphides, MoS2 in particular, are widely used in lithium-ion batteries for their high theoretical specific capacity and excellent performance. However, their inferior electric conductivity and enormous volume expansion...

Recent progress in metal-organic framework/graphene-derived materials for energy storage and conversion: design, preparation, and application

Graphene or chemically modified graphene, because of its high specific surface area and abundant functional groups, provides an ideal template for the controllable growth of metal-organic framework (MOF) particles. The nanocomposite assembled from graphene and MOFs can effectively overcome the limitations of low stability and poor conductivity of MOFs, greatly widening their application in the field of electrochemistry. Furthermore, it can also be utilized as a versatile precursor due to the tunable structure and composition for various derivatives with sophisticated structures, showing their unique advantages and great potential in many applications, especially energy storage and conversion. Therefore, the related studies have been becoming a hot research topic and have achieved great progress. This review summarizes comprehensively the latest methods of synthesizing MOFs/graphene and their derivatives, and their application in energy storage and conversion with a detailed analysis of the structure-property relationship. Additionally, the current challenges and opportunities in this field will be discussed with an outlook also provided.

Advances in metal-organic framework coatings: versatile synthesis and broad applications

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a new kind of porous crystalline materials have attracted much interest in many applications due to their high porosity, diverse structures, and controllable chemical structures. However, the specific geometrical morphologies, limited functions and unsatisfactory performances of pure MOFs hinder their further applications. In recent years, an efficient approach to synthesize new composites to overcome the above issues has been achieved, by integrating MOF coatings with other functional materials, which have synergistic advantages in many potential applications, including batteries, supercapacitors, catalysis, gas storage and separation, sensors, drug delivery/cytoprotection and so on. Nevertheless, the systemic synthesis strategies and the relationships between their structures and application performances have not been reviewed comprehensively yet. This review emphasizes the recent advances in versatile synthesis strategies and broad applications of MOF coatings. A comprehensive discussion of the fundamental chemistry, classifications and functions of MOF coatings is provided first. Next, by modulating the different states (e.g. solid, liquid, and gas) of metal ion sources and organic ligands, the synthesis methods for MOF coatings on functional materials are systematically summarized. Then, many potential applications of MOF coatings are highlighted and their structure-property correlations are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for the future research of MOF coatings are proposed. This review on the deep understanding of MOF coatings will bring better directions into the rational design of high-performance MOF-based materials and open up new opportunities for MOF applications.

Fabrication of nitrogen-doped porous graphene hybrid nanosheets from metal-organic frameworks for lithium-ion batteries

To achieve a good electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the design and optimization of the anode is a key issue. Herein, the fabrication of nitrogen-doped porous graphene hybrid nanosheets (denoted as N-PGNS) is proposed via a simple functional group-induced growth of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) on graphene oxides (GO) followed by a one-step pyrolysis strategy. Detailed characterizations reveal that the N-doped porous carbon derived from ZIF-8 is homogeneously anchored on graphene, and can provide high electroactivity and numerous diffusion channels for fast Li⁺ transport. Meanwhile, the incorporation of graphene as a conductive framework and supporting substrate can accelerate the transfer of electrons. Taking advantage of the synergistic role between the graphene framework and N-doped porous carbon, the N-PGNS exhibits a stable reversible specific capacity of 741.8 mA h g^-1 as the anode for LIBs, which is notably higher than that of the N-doped porous carbon obtained directly by pyrolysis of ZIF-8. Furthermore, the N-PGNS electrodes also show superior electrochemical stability with an initial capacity of 90.38% over 1000 cycles at 5 A g^-1. The current strategy, which can control and adjust the growth of ZIF-8 via the inducing effect of GO, provides a promising solution to construct graphene hybrid nanosheets for high-performance LIBs.

ZIF-8@ZIF-67-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon Confined CoP Polyhedron Targeting Superior Potassium-Ion Storage

Potassium ion batteries (KIB) have become a compelling energy-storage system owing to their cost effectiveness and the high abundance of potassium in comparison with lithium. However, its practical applications have been thwarted by a series of challenges, including marked volume expansion and sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the large radius of potassium ions. In line with this, the exploration of reliable anode materials affording high electrical conductivity, sufficient active sites, and structural robustness is the key. The synthesis of ZIF-8@ZIF-67 derived nitrogen-doped porous carbon confined CoP polyhedron architectures (NC@CoP/NC) to function as innovative KIB anode materials is reported. Such composites enable an outstanding rate performance to harvest a capacity of ≈200 mAh g^-1 at 2000 mA g^-1 . Additionally, a high cycling stability can be gained by maintaining a high capacity retention of 93% after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^-1 . Furthermore, the potassium ion storage mechanism of the NC@CoP/NC anode is systematically probed through theoretical simulations and experimental characterization. This contribution may offer an innovative and feasible route of emerging anode design toward high performance KIBs.

Coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (open metal sites) in metal–organic frameworks: design and applications

The defined synthesis of OMS in MOFs is the basis for targeted functionalization through grafting, the coordination of weakly binding species and increased (supramolecular) interactions with guest molecules.

Multifunctional nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbons derived from metal–organic frameworks for efficient CO2 storage and high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbons were prepared, capturing CO₂ of 10 mmol g⁻¹ at 45 bar and achieving a reversible capacity of 762 mA h g⁻¹.

MOF-Derived Metal Oxide Composites for Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage

Over the past two decades, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a type of porous material, have aroused great interest as precursors or templates for the derivation of metal oxides and composites for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage applications owing to their high specific surface areas, controllable structures, and adjustable pore sizes. The electrode materials, which affect the performance in practical applications, are pivotal components of batteries and supercapacitors. Metal oxide composites derived from metal-organic frameworks possessing high reversible capacity and superior rate and cycle performance are excellent electrode materials. In this Review, potential applications for MOF-derived metal oxide composites for lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, lithium-oxygen batteries, and supercapacitors are studied and summarized. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for future research on MOF-derived metal oxide composites are proposed on the basis of academic knowledge from the reported literature as well as from experimental experience.

Complex Nanostructures from Materials based on Metal-Organic Frameworks for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have drawn tremendous attention because of their abundant diversity in structure and composition. Recently, there has been growing research interest in deriving advanced nanomaterials with complex architectures and tailored chemical compositions from MOF-based precursors for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Here, a comprehensive overview of the synthesis and energy-related applications of complex nanostructures derived from MOF-based precursors is provided. After a brief summary of synthetic methods of MOF-based templates and their conversion to desirable nanostructures, delicate designs and preparation of complex architectures from MOFs or their composites are described in detail, including porous structures, single-shelled hollow structures, and multishelled hollow structures, as well as other unusual complex structures. Afterward, their applications are discussed as electrode materials or catalysts for lithium-ion batteries, hybrid supercapacitors, water-splitting devices, and fuel cells. Lastly, the research challenges and possible development directions of complex nanostructures derived from MOF-based-templates for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications are outlined.

Synthesis and properties of mesoporous Zn-doped Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2 as cathode materials by a MOFs-assisted solvothermal method

Mesoporous nano-microparticles lithium-rich Zn-doped Li_1.2Mn_0.54Co_0.13Ni_0.13O₂ cathode materials have been synthesized by utilizing the structural characteristics of metal–organic frameworks.

Hierarchical porous ZnMn2O4microspheres assembled by nanosheets for high performance anodes of lithium ion batteries

Hierarchical porous ZnMn₂O₄microspheres assembled by nanosheets are fabricated and they exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance for lithium-ion battery anodes.