Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites as electrodes for lithium battery applications: Novel means for alternative energy storage

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a novel class of advanced functional materials due to their many well-known merits (e.g., ultrahigh porosity, favorable pore size distribution, easy functionalization, and structural tailorability). However, their use in various electronics applications is restricted due to their insulating nature. Therefore, a need arises to intercalate MOFs with various functional/conductive materials for synergistic applications like electrode materials (e.g., diverse Li-ion batteries: LIBs). In this review, the recent developments on pristine MOFs and their derived nanostructures (e.g., nanoporous carbons and metal oxides) for electrode applications are discussed in detail. We focused on the recent applications of various MOF-based composites in anodic/cathodic materials (e.g., LIBs, lithium-sulfur batteries (Li-S), lithium-air batteries (Li-O2), and lithium hybrid electrochemical capacitors (Li-HEC)) along with details associated with their electrochemical performance. This review is expected to help materials scientists to construct a roadmap for the selection of the best possible electrode materials for LIBs.