Advanced metal–organic frameworks for next-generation energy storage and conversion: From nanoscale design to widespread applications
- 1School of Physics and Electronic Information , Yan'an University , Yan'an 716000 , China
Abstract
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as an emerging class of porous crystalline materials, exhibit immense potential in the field of energy storage and conversion due to their high specific surface area, tunable pore structures, and abundant active sites. This review summarizes the latest research progress of MOFs in next-generation energy technologies. Spanning from nanoscale design to macroscopic applications, the structure–performance relationships and critical roles of MOFs in electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis are systematically explored. Initially, nanoscale design principles and controllable synthesis strategies for MOFs are introduced, covering the selection of metal nodes and organic linkers, the modulation of pore size and geometry, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, the applications of MOFs in electrochemical energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, are discussed. Furthermore, their superior performance in electrocatalytic reactions, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction, is highlighted. In addition, the potential of MOFs in photocatalytic fields, such as photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, and pollutant degradation, is examined. Finally, the major challenges hindering the transition of MOFs from laboratory research to scalable applications are summarized, and their significant role in driving the energy revolution and achieving sustainable development goals is envisioned. Through this review, new insights and directions are provided for MOF research in the energy sector, aiming to facilitate their widespread application in future energy technologies.
Related
- Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks: From synthesis and multifunctional design to anticancer applications
- Pore-zoned nanoarchitectonics of hierarchically porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-derived materials for electrochemical energy conversion
- Metal–Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic Nitrate‐to‐Ammonia Conversion: A Review
- Fluorescent Metal–Organic Frameworks for Chemical Sensing: Design Strategies, Mechanisms, and Analytical Applications
- Probing Nanoscale Carrier Dynamics in P3HT Blended with a Non-Fullerene Acceptor: Impact of Mixing on Device-Relevant Carrier Generation
BibTeX
@article{wang2026advanced,
title = {{Advanced metal–organic frameworks for next-generation energy storage and conversion: From nanoscale design to widespread applications}},
author = {Hong Wang and Xiaoxi Guo and Liang Yang and Shipeng Fang},
journal = {Nano Research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.26599/nr.2026.94909093},
url = {https://doi.org/10.26599/nr.2026.94909093},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Advanced metal–organic frameworks for next-generation energy storage and conversion: From nanoscale design to widespread applications
AU - Hong Wang
AU - Xiaoxi Guo
AU - Liang Yang
AU - Shipeng Fang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/10
JO - Nano Research
DO - 10.26599/nr.2026.94909093
UR - https://doi.org/10.26599/nr.2026.94909093
AB - Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as an emerging class of porous crystalline materials, exhibit immense potential in the field of energy storage and conversion due to their high specific surface area, tunable pore structures, and abundant active sites. This review summarizes the latest research progress of MOFs in next-generation energy technologies. Spanning from nanoscale design to macroscopic applications, the structure–performance relationships and critical roles of MOFs in electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis are systematically explored. Initially, nanoscale design principles and controllable synthesis strategies for MOFs are introduced, covering the selection of metal nodes and organic linkers, the modulation of pore size and geometry, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, the applications of MOFs in electrochemical energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, are discussed. Furthermore, their superior performance in electrocatalytic reactions, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction, is highlighted. In addition, the potential of MOFs in photocatalytic fields, such as photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, and pollutant degradation, is examined. Finally, the major challenges hindering the transition of MOFs from laboratory research to scalable applications are summarized, and their significant role in driving the energy revolution and achieving sustainable development goals is envisioned. Through this review, new insights and directions are provided for MOF research in the energy sector, aiming to facilitate their widespread application in future energy technologies.
SN - 1998-0000
SN - 1998-0124
ER -