Advancements in metal organic frameworks for energy storage applications: A review of current research and future directions

The increasing energy needs globally with pressing environmental requirements necessitate the discovery of new energy storage technologies. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a revolutionary class of porous materials with superior structural tunability, high surface area, and porosity and are leading candidates for next-generation energy applications. In this review, an overview of the recent advances in MOF-based materials as utilized in different energy storage technologies is presented. We review the multifunctional applications of MOFs and their derivatives as electrode materials in various batteries, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur and zinc batteries, and high-performance supercapacitors. Their crucial application for hydrogen storage, as well as their computational and AI-driven approach, is also discussed. A critical analysis of the current challenges, including low electronic conductivity and structural instability, is presented alongside a description of promising future directions, such as the use of MOF-derived composites, hybrid architectures, and the integration of computational design methods. Overall, this review highlights the significant promise of MOFs for transforming the landscape of sustainable energy technology.