Recent Progress of Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks in Synthesis and Battery Applications

As one type of promising inorganic-organic hybrid crystal material, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted widespread attention in many potential fields, particularly in energy storage and conversion. Recently, effective strategies have been developed to construct uniform nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs), which not only retain inherent advantages of MOFs but also develop some improved superiorities, including shorter diffusion pathway for guest transportation and more accessible active sites for surface adsorption and reaction. Additonally, their nanometer size provides more opportunity for post-functionalization and hybridization. In this review, recent progress on the preparation of NMOFs is summarized, primarily through bottom-up strategies including reaction parameter- and coordination-assisted synthesis, and top-down strategies such as liquid exfoliation and salt-template confinement. Additionally, recent applications of NMOFs in batteries as electrodes, separators, and electrolytes is discussed. Finally, some important issues concerning the fabrication and application are emphasized, which should be paid attention in future.