MOF-Based Lithium Oxygen Batteries: Status and Prospects from Material Design to System Integration

Lithium oxygen batteries (LOBs) offer exceptional theoretical energy density but face formidable challenges due to the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER). This review delineates the pivotal role of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in overcoming these hurdles. We systematically dissect how the unique structural programmability, ultrahigh surface area, and atomically dispersed active sites of MOFs and their derivatives are ingeniously exploited to engineer high-performance cathodes, functional separators, and solid-state electrolytes. The discussion is extended to pristine MOFs, MOF-derived carbons, and heteroatom-doped composites, highlighting their efficacy in regulating Li₂O₂ growth and reducing overpotentials. Furthermore, strategic hybridization with conductive matrices such as carbon nanotubes and MXenes to enhance electron transfer is elaborated. Finally, we provide critical perspectives on future research directions, encompassing stability enhancement, artificial intelligence-guided discovery, and advanced interfacial engineering, charting a course for MOF-based materials to propel the development of next-generation LOBs.