Interfacial design strategies using metal-organic frameworks: a comprehensive review for rechargeable batteries

Modifying battery interfaces to improve stability and performance, and suppress side reactions has been a long-standing goal. Although there were many candidates, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered particular attention owing to their unique porous structure, tunability, and multifunctionality. Due to these characteristics, MOFs could contribute to regulating the diffusion path of carrier ions, mitigating undesired reactions, as well as stabilizing the interfaces. Therefore, MOFs were increasingly explored as functional layers and host materials for lithium-ion, lithium-metal, lithium-sulfur, and aqueous zinc-ion batteries. However, challenges remained regarding their structural stability, compatibility, and scalability under realistic operating conditions. This review aimed to highlight critical side reactions at the interface, summarized previous research efforts addressing these issues, and offered promising strategies for further development.