Conductive metal-organic frameworks: Recent advances in electrochemical energy-related applications and perspectives

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), typically constructed with metallic nodes and organic linkers, have influenced the development of modular solid materials. Their adjustable molecular structure provides a remarkable variety of MOF-based solid-state structures towards diverse applications. However, the low conductivity of traditional MOFs extremely hinders their applications in electronic and electrochemical devices. The emerging conductive MOFs, generally possessing two-dimensional layered structures, are endowed with both the structural merits of common MOFs and exceptional electronic/ionic conductivities. Besides, the selection and optimization of ligands and metal centers, as well as synthetic methods enormously affects the intrinsic conductivity of conductive MOFs. The distinctive crystal structures and superb conductivity promise their appealing applications in electrochemical energy-related fields. In the review, we mainly summarize representative crystal features, conducting mechanisms and recent advances in rational design and synthesis of conductive MOFs, along with their versatile applications as electrodes for electrochemical capacitors and rechargeable batteries, and as catalysts towards electrocatalysis. Finally, the involved challenges and future trends/prospects of the conductive MOFs for electrochemical energy-related applications are further proposed.