Review · secondary evidenceFeature

Electrically conductive metal-organic framework-based electrocatalysts: from synthesis strategies to catalytic applications

Thi Anh Le, Nguyen Duy Hai, Thuy Tien Nguyen Tran, Kieu The Loan Trinh and Ngoc Quang Tran · ChemComm · 2025

This dossier represents secondary evidence: section summaries, claims and benchmarks are paraphrased for this database, not quoted. Check quantitative values against the linked primary study, and cite the review itself (10.1039/d5cc01825k) for its arguments.

5review sections
8material families
13review claims
16secondary benchmarks
25cited studies
7research gaps

Review scope

Review recent progress in conductive MOF electrocatalysts by linking synthesis strategies, electronic structure, charge-transport mechanisms, and catalytic behaviour in HER, OER, ORR, NRR, and CO2RR.

Coverage
2012–2025
Category
Review Transport Physics
Material scope
conductive metal-organic frameworks · 2D and 3D c-MOFs · triphenylene, catecholate, phthalocyanine, porphyrinic, carboxylate, phosphonate, ZIF-derived, and guest-modified MOF systems · MOF-carbon and MOF-MXene hybrids used as electrocatalysts
Transport scope
electronic conductivity · ionic conductivity in electrochemical media · through-bond conduction · extended conjugation · through-space transport · redox hopping · guest-promoted charge transport
Application scope
hydrogen evolution reaction · oxygen evolution reaction · oxygen reduction reaction · nitrogen reduction reaction · carbon dioxide reduction reaction · water and seawater electrolysis
Explicit exclusions
full synthesis recipes · complete primary-study data extraction · non-electrocatalytic conductive MOF applications except for contextual comparison
Source
13543 · Abstract
Evidence role
Context, taxonomy and secondary benchmarking

Section map

The review’s argument is preserved as a navigable set of section summaries.

4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

13551-13557

Connects c-MOF transport and structure design to HER, OER, ORR, NRR, CO2RR and seawater electrolysis, with examples from extended conjugation, bimetallic/guest modification and derived catalysts.

Relevance: Core · 13552 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

2. Introduction to conductive MOFs

13544-13546

Explains electronic and ionic conductivity in electrocatalysis, identifies five major c-MOF charge-transport pathways, and discusses electronic-structure roles of metal nodes and ligand families.

Relevance: Core · 13545 · 2.1. The concept of conductivity in MOFs

1. Introduction

13543-13544

Defines MOFs, introduces why insulating MOFs struggle in electrocatalysis, and frames c-MOFs as promising but still limited by synthesis control and long-term stability.

Relevance: Core · 13544 · 1. Introduction

5. Summary and perspectives

13557-13558

Summarises the promise of c-MOF electrocatalysts and lists explicit gaps in scalable linker synthesis, morphology control, practical performance, durability, multi-metallic structures and redox-active organic linkers.

Relevance: Core · 13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms to improve electrocatalytic activity

13546-13551

Surveys conventional and alternative MOF synthesis approaches, then organises structural modification around through-bond, extended-conjugation, through-space, redox-hopping, and guest-promoted pathways.

Relevance: Core · 13547 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms

Taxonomies

Classification systems are attributed to this review and are not treated as a global material registry.

Framework Dimensionality And MorphologyAuthor-proposed

2D versus 3D conductive MOF analogues

Dimensionality is used to compare active-site exposure, diffusion paths, delocalised in-plane transport, film formation and stability tradeoffs.

Categories: 3D frameworks · 2D layers and nanosheets · planarly extended 2D structures · vertically conductive 2D structures

13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 5

Charge-Carrier Type In Electrochemical OperationAuthor-proposed

Electronic versus ionic conductivity

Electrocatalysis is treated as requiring both electron transport through the catalyst/electrode and ion transport in the electrolyte and reaction environment.

Categories: electronic conduction by electrons or holes · ionic conduction by electrolyte ions · mixed electronic and ionic requirements at interfaces

13545 · 2.1. The concept of conductivity in MOFs

Extrinsic Conductive/Catalytic Modifier

Guest-promoted species

Guest-promoted transport is grouped by guest type and by the interactions that create additional charge-transfer paths or tune intermediates.

Categories: metal ions · metal nanoclusters · metal oxides · organic molecules · halogens · conducting polymers

13555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 10

Organic-Linker Chemistry

Ligand coordinating functional groups

Organic ligands are classified by coordinating functional group, with each family influencing morphology, porosity, charge transfer and stability.

Categories: carboxylic acid linkers · phosphonic acid linkers · N-heterocyclic linkers · cyanide linkers · mixed functional groups

13546 · 2.2. Electronic structure of conductive MOFs

Metal-Centre Electronic Structure

Metal-node valence and coordination effects

The review highlights valence state, d-orbital configuration, atomic size and electronegativity as node-level variables affecting ligand interaction, morphology and conductivity.

Categories: monovalent metal cations · divalent metal cations · trivalent metal cations · tetravalent metal cations

13545 · 2.2. Electronic structure of conductive MOFs

Charge-Transport Mechanism

Five charge-transport pathways

The review organises c-MOF design by five routes through which synthesis and structural modification can enhance conductivity and electrocatalytic behaviour.

Categories: through-bond pathways · extended conjugation · through-space pathways · redox hopping · guest-promoted transport

13544 · 1. Introduction

Material families

Review-defined families retain their representative materials and conduction descriptions.

BDC and broader carboxylate MOFs

Mostly 3D Frameworks In The Examples Discussed

MOFs built from carboxylate linkers, including BDC and related aliphatic or aromatic carboxylates.

Conduction: Often limited by metal-oxygen orbital overlap but useful as a platform for active-site reconstruction and benchmarking.

Representative materials: MOF-5 · Ni-BDC MOF · M2(m-dobdc)

Nodes / linkers: Zn · Ni · Mg · Mn · Fe · Co · 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate · m-dobdc · aromatic carboxylates

13546 · 2.2. Electronic structure of conductive MOFs

BHT and catecholate conductive MOFs

2D C-MOFs, Nanowire Arrays, And Supported Films

Sulfur- or oxygen-coordinated conductive frameworks using benzenehexathiolate, catecholate, or related linkers.

Conduction: Strong metal-ligand interactions and bimetallic or guest-metal sites tune charge transfer and adsorption energetics.

Representative materials: BHT-Ni · BHT-Fe · BHT-Co · Ag-BHT MOF · Co-CAT · RuCo-CAT

Nodes / linkers: Ni · Fe · Co · Ag · Ru · Ir · Rh · benzenehexathiolate · catecholate

13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

HITP/HHTP triphenylene 2D conductive MOFs

2D Layered Nanosheets And Films

Layered 2D p-d conjugated frameworks built from triphenylene-derived linkers and transition-metal nodes.

Conduction: Planar p-d conjugation and interlayer stacking provide high electronic conductivity and accessible active sites.

Representative materials: Ni3(HITP)2 · Co3(HITP)2 · Ni5.7Ru0.3(HHTP)3(H2O)x · CoFe-HHTP

Nodes / linkers: Ni · Co · Ru · Fe · HITP · HHTP · triphenylene derivatives

13548 · 3.2. Extended conjugation

Phosphonate-based MOFs

Frameworks Not Consistently Reduced To One Dimensionality In The Review

MOFs using phosphonate linkers with multiple oxygen binding sites and strong coordination possibilities.

Conduction: The review emphasises coordination environment, mixed valence and binding interactions more than intrinsic conductivity benchmarks.

Representative materials: Cu3[(H-hedp)2(C4H4N2)]*2H2O · Cu3[(H3-hedp)2(C4H4N2)4(SO4)]*2H2O · STA-12(Ni)

Nodes / linkers: Cu · Ni · diphosphonate · N,N'-piperazine-bis(methylenephosphonate)

13546 · 2.2. Electronic structure of conductive MOFs

Porphyrinic and phthalocyanine MOF networks

2D Networks And Zr-Cluster Porphyrinic MOFs

Extended conjugated macrocycle-based frameworks in which metal phthalocyanine or porphyrin units contribute active sites and delocalisation.

Conduction: Macrocyclic conjugation and pi-pi overlap improve charge transport and tune CO2RR/ORR/NRR intermediates.

Representative materials: MPc-based frameworks · PCN-223-Fe · PCN-224-Ni(F) · PcCu-Cu-O

Nodes / linkers: Fe · Ni · Cu · Zr · phthalocyanine · porphyrin · TCPP

13548 · 3.2. Extended conjugation

Sulfur-substituted through-bond Fe MOFs

3D MOF Frameworks

Through-bond conductive MOFs in which metal-oxygen chains are replaced or modified by stronger metal-sulfur or metal-nitrogen interactions.

Conduction: Improved orbital overlap through Fe-S chains reduces barriers relative to oxygen-based analogues.

Representative materials: Fe2(DSBDC) · Fe2(DOBDC) · Mg2(DSBDC)

Nodes / linkers: Fe · Mg · disulfhydrylbenzene dicarboxylate · dihydroxybenzene dicarboxylate

13547 · 3.1. Through-bond pathways · Fig. 3

Truxone and triptycene extended-conjugation MOFs

2D Planarly Or Vertically Extended Structures

MOFs using polycyclic ligands such as truxone or triptycene to control p-d conjugation, stacking geometry and active-site exposure.

Conduction: Ligand conjugation and controlled interlayer interactions can promote electron delocalisation while preserving access to CO2RR active sites.

Representative materials: truxone-Cu MOF · 2D-vc-MOF(Cu)

Nodes / linkers: Cu · hexahydroxyl truxone · hexahydroxyltriptycene

13549 · 3.3. Through-space pathways · Fig. 5

Zr UiO-66 redox-hopping hybrids

3D MOF Particles On Conductive Carbon Support

Zirconium UiO-66 based materials modified with redox-active Ir sites and conductive carbon nanotubes.

Conduction: Ir supplies redox-hopping sites while CNTs improve electronic conduction.

Representative materials: Ir-UiO-66-10CNT · Ir-functionalized UiO-66 · UiO-66-CNT

Nodes / linkers: Zr · Ir · UiO-66 carboxylate framework · carbon nanotube support

13550 · 3.4. Redox hopping · Fig. 7

Synthesis strategies

Review-level synthesis principles remain separate from primary-study recipes.

Bimetallic and multi-metallic node engineering

Combines different metal centres to tune adsorption strength, d-band position, redox-active sites and catalytic synergy.

Claimed effects: Can improve electrical conductivity and catalytic activity through synergistic electronic and structural effects.

Controlling variables: metal ratio · redox-active site identity · coordination environment · intermediate adsorption strength

Representative materials: Ni0.5Fe0.5-THQ · CoFe-HHTP · RuCo-CAT

Caveat: The review notes multi-metallic MOF stability as a drawback and calls for more work on multi-metallic c-MOFs.

13555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

Electrochemical MOF growth

Applies potentials to generate metal ions or deprotonated ligands that assemble into MOFs on an electrode surface.

Claimed effects: Directly forms MOFs on electrodes and can improve electrode integration.

Controlling variables: applied potential · metal-ion generation · ligand deprotonation · electrode surface

Representative materials: electrode-grown MOFs

Caveat: Suitability depends on target framework and electrochemical window.

13547 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms

Extended p-d conjugation

Combines transition-metal sites with chelating conjugated organic cores to form in-plane conjugated layers.

Claimed effects: Enhances delocalisation, charge transport and electrocatalytic active-site electronic structure.

Controlling variables: linker conjugation length · metal centre · stacking orientation · pi-pi overlap

Representative materials: Ni3(HITP)2 · Co3(HITP)2 · truxone-Cu MOF

Caveat: Compact stacking can block active sites even while aiding through-space interactions.

13548 · 3.2. Extended conjugation

Guest-promoted conductivity engineering

Places inorganic, molecular, halogen or polymer guests inside pores or voids to add carriers, donor-acceptor transfer or new conductive paths.

Claimed effects: Tailors electronic structure, active-site environment, selectivity and stability.

Controlling variables: guest type · host-guest interaction · pore confinement · polymerisation · charge-transfer path

Representative materials: Ag-incorporated UiO-66 · I2-modified ZIF-67 · polymer-modified MOFs

Caveat: Guest effects are diverse and can depend on swelling, unwanted side reactions and host compatibility.

13550 · 3.5. Guest-promoted transport

Metal-binding atom substitution for through-bond transport

Replaces weak metal-oxygen chains with metal-sulfur or metal-nitrogen coordination to improve orbital overlap.

Claimed effects: Improves charge transport by strengthening metal-ligand electronic coupling.

Controlling variables: donor atom · metal-ligand orbital overlap · band alignment · linker identity

Representative materials: Fe2(DSBDC) · Fe2(DOBDC)

Caveat: Improved transport can also alter intermediate binding and product selectivity.

13547 · 3.1. Through-bond pathways

Microwave and ultrasonic assisted synthesis

Uses electromagnetic heating or acoustic cavitation to accelerate MOF formation.

Claimed effects: Offers faster kinetics and potentially higher selectivity relative to conventional solvothermal synthesis.

Controlling variables: microwave power · ultrasonic cavitation · reaction time · temperature

Representative materials: MOFs prepared by microwave synthesis · MOFs prepared by ultrasonic synthesis

Caveat: Benefits depend on desired structure and available instrumentation.

13547 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms

Redox-active hopping sites with conductive supports

Introduces redox-active sites and conductive components so electron hopping, electronic conduction and ion diffusion cooperate during catalysis.

Claimed effects: Can produce strong electrocatalysis even when the MOF's intrinsic band-like conductivity is moderate.

Controlling variables: redox-active metal site · support conductivity · porosity · ion diffusion

Representative materials: Ir-UiO-66-10CNT

Caveat: Mechanistic evaluation remains difficult and may require diffusion or hopping-coefficient analysis.

13550 · 3.4. Redox hopping · Fig. 7

Solvothermal MOF formation

Uniformly mixes metal salts and organic ligands in solvent, then heats, filters and dries to obtain MOFs; supports such as nickel foam or carbon cloth can be used.

Claimed effects: Can tune morphology and electronic structure but may require high energy, long reaction times and large solvent volumes.

Controlling variables: precursor concentration · temperature · pressure · solvent · support

Representative materials: general MOFs · supported MOF electrocatalysts

Caveat: The review treats this as a general synthesis route, not as a primary recipe.

13546 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms

Chemical, physical, and layer-by-layer thin-film growth

Deposits or epitaxially grows MOF layers when electrode contact, film formation or substrate integration is central.

Claimed effects: Enables thin-film MOF electrodes and improves contact with current collectors.

Controlling variables: substrate · deposition method · layer-by-layer sequence · film thickness

Representative materials: thin-film MOFs · 2D c-MOF films

Caveat: The review gives strategy-level context rather than detailed deposition conditions.

13547 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms

Through-space stacking control

Modulates pi-pi stacking geometry or vertical extension so adjacent conjugated units support electronic hopping without overly blocking reactant access.

Claimed effects: Can improve mobility and electrochemical behaviour by increasing delocalised electron overlap and active-site accessibility.

Controlling variables: stacking geometry · interlayer interaction · exfoliation · active-site exposure

Representative materials: Co-BTC-IMI · 2D-vc-MOF(Cu)

Caveat: The review explicitly warns that excessive compact pi-pi stacking hinders active-site exposure.

13549 · 3.3. Through-space pathways

Review claims

These are the review authors’ synthesis, not newly measured results.

Author InterpretationHigh supportMaterial Comparison

2D c-MOF analogues are presented as favourable for electrocatalysis because exfoliated layers expose more active sites, shorten diffusion paths, support delocalised in-plane transport and form better electrode films.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: The review does not claim all 2D MOFs outperform all 3D MOFs; it frames a general advantage set.

13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

Author InterpretationMedium supportStructure Property Link

Bimetallic incorporation in c-MOFs is framed as a route to tune d-band centres, adsorption energies, charge transfer and bifunctional HER/OER activity.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: The introduction notes instability as a major drawback of multi-metallic MOFs, so performance and durability must be separated.

13555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

Consensus SummaryHigh supportTransport Mechanism

Extended p-d conjugation produces graphene-like delocalisation in 2D c-MOF layers and is central to many electrocatalytic examples.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: Layer stacking, defects and measurement geometry still influence observed conductivity.

13548 · 3.2. Extended conjugation

DescriptiveHigh supportTransport Mechanism

The review adopts five design pathways for conductive MOFs: through-bond, extended conjugation, through-space, redox hopping and guest-promoted transport.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: The five-way taxonomy is a useful review framework, not a claim that mechanisms are always separable in real electrodes.

13547 · 3. Strategies for synthesis and mechanisms · Fig. 2

Consensus SummaryHigh supportSynthesis Strategy

Guest species can extrinsically enhance conductivity and catalysis by adding charge carriers, donor-acceptor interactions or additional conductive pathways.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: Guest incorporation may affect morphology, stability and selectivity in different directions depending on host-guest chemistry.

13555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 10

Consensus SummaryHigh supportCaveat

Conventional insulating MOFs have attractive porosity and tunability but often fail in electrocatalysis because weak coordination bonds and poor electronic conductivity limit stability and charge transfer.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: The review summarises multiple sources and does not provide new measurements.

13543 · 1. Introduction

Author InterpretationHigh supportTransport Mechanism

Efficient electrolysis requires both electronic conduction through the catalyst/electrode and ionic conduction in the electrolyte to maintain charge neutrality and deliver reactants.

Evidence basis: review_reasoning

Caveat: The review frames this generally rather than resolving measurement protocols for mixed conduction.

13545 · 2.1. The concept of conductivity in MOFs

Author InterpretationHigh supportMeasurement Interpretation

In situ and operando measurements are needed to identify intermediates, monitor reconstruction and interpret catalytic mechanisms in unstable aqueous c-MOF electrodes.

Evidence basis: review_reasoning

Caveat: The review names methods but does not prescribe a standard protocol.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

Author InterpretationHigh supportStructure Property Link

Metal-node identity and ligand donor atoms influence conductivity through orbital overlap, band alignment and electronic configuration.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: Specific trends are material-dependent and often supported by DFT in the cited examples.

13545 · 2.2. Electronic structure of conductive MOFs

Consensus SummaryHigh supportCaveat

The review repeatedly cautions that c-MOF electrocatalysts remain below practical industrial requirements for current density and long-term durability.

Evidence basis: review_reasoning

Caveat: Industrial targets are discussed as context; primary validation should use the original industrial or primary-catalyst sources.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

DescriptiveMedium supportTransport Mechanism

Redox hopping differs from band-like transport because charges are localised and hop between redox-active moieties; temperature, porosity and ion diffusion can control performance.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: The review states that thoroughly evaluating redox-hopping mechanisms remains difficult.

13550 · 3.4. Redox hopping · Fig. 6

Author InterpretationHigh supportStructure Property Link

Replacing oxygen-linked chains with sulfur or nitrogen coordination can improve through-bond conductivity by strengthening metal-ligand overlap.

Evidence basis: single_reference

Caveat: Fe2(DSBDC) is used as a representative mechanistic example.

13547 · 3.1. Through-bond pathways

Author InterpretationHigh supportCaveat

Through-space stacking can enhance electron mobility, but excessive pi-pi stacking can hide active sites and reduce electrocatalytic performance.

Evidence basis: multi_reference

Caveat: This is especially relevant when comparing planarly extended and vertically conductive 2D structures.

13549 · 3.3. Through-space pathways

Secondary benchmarks

Every row remains visibly secondary and links to a primary dossier only where the mapping is verified.

MaterialPropertyReported valueContext and qualityPrimary evidenceReview source
SecondaryAg-benzenehexathiol MOF nanowire arraysHER overpotential275 mV at 1 A cm^-2HER; current density 1 A cm^-2
Text · Exact Reported
research_008513554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 9
SecondaryAg-benzenehexathiol MOF nanowire arraysHER Tafel slope66 mV dec^-1HER; conductive Ag-BHT MOF arrays
Text · Exact Reported
research_008513554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 9
SecondaryCo3(HITP)2OER overpotential254 mV vs. RHE at 10 mA cm^-2alkaline solution; current density 10 mA cm^-2
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 8
SecondaryCo3(HITP)2electrical conductivity1150 S m^-12D p-d conjugated MOF; review comparison with holey graphene
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 8
SecondaryCo3(HITP)2OER Tafel slope86.5 mV dec^-1alkaline OER
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13553 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 8
SecondaryCoFe-MIL-88A/V2CTx heterostructureNRR faradaic efficiency28.86% at -0.1 V vs. RHENRR under environmental conditions; -0.1 V vs. RHE
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13556 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryNi3(Ni3-HAHATN)2 nanosheetsHER overpotential115 mV at 10 mA cm^-2HER; current density 10 mA cm^-2
Text · Exact Reported
research_051313554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 8
SecondaryNi3(Ni3-HAHATN)2 nanosheetsHER Tafel slope45.6 mV dec^-1HER
Text · Exact Reported
research_051313554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts · Fig. 8
SecondaryNi3(HITAT)2bulk conductivity44 mS cm^-1temperature-activated charge transport
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryNi3(HITBim)2bulk conductivity0.5 mS cm^-1temperature-activated charge transport
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryNi3(HITP)2 surface filmelectrical conductivity40 S cm^-1two-probe and van der Pauw measurements; surface film form
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13549 · 3.2. Extended conjugation
SecondaryNi3(HITP)2 on gas diffusion electrodeORR current density1200 mA cm^-2ORR; supported on gas diffusion electrode
Text · Exact Reported
research_083613554 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryNi3(HITP)2 pelletelectrical conductivity2 S cm^-1two-probe and van der Pauw measurements; pellet form
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13549 · 3.2. Extended conjugation
SecondaryFeNi-MOFOER overpotential270 mV at 50 mA cm^-2OER; current density 50 mA cm^-2
Text · Exact Reported
research_007113555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryFeNi-MOFOER Tafel slope49 mV dec^-1OER
Text · Exact Reported
research_007113555 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts
SecondaryNi-Co-CoO@C nanocomposites from Ni-exchanged ZIF-67alkaline seawater electrolysis cell voltage1.72 V at 20 mA cm^-2bifunctional alkaline seawater electrolysis; current density 20 mA cm^-2
Text · Exact Reported
No verified corpus mapping13557 · 4. Conductive MOFs as electrocatalysts

Research gaps

Open questions are presented as review-author priorities, not conclusions from the primary database.

aqueous durability

High

Current c-MOF electrocatalyst durability is inadequate because crystalline c-MOF surfaces can hydrolyse during aqueous electrocatalysis.

Proposed direction: Monitor reconstruction and develop stabilisation strategies that preserve catalytic function under high polarisation.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

morphology and composition control

High

Controlling c-MOF morphology and composition is more challenging than for insulating MOFs because conductivity affects crystal growth and stability.

Proposed direction: Design nanostructured c-MOFs with abundant exposed active sites and understand their formation mechanisms.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

multi-metallic c-MOFs

Medium

Structure engineering that simultaneously improves activity and stability is rarely reported for c-MOFs; current research is still focused mainly on single-metal systems.

Proposed direction: Construct multi-metallic c-MOFs to modulate coordination environments and exploit synergistic redox-active metal sites.

13558 · 5. Summary and perspectives

mechanistic characterisation

High

Surface intermediates, reconstruction pathways and catalytic mechanisms remain insufficiently resolved for operating c-MOF electrodes.

Proposed direction: Use in situ XAS, operando EIS, in situ Raman and in situ IR to identify intermediates and reaction pathways.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

industrial performance

High

State-of-the-art c-MOF electrocatalysts remain below practical water-splitting targets for current density and lifespan.

Proposed direction: Correlate chemical structure, transport mechanisms and catalytic performance using more rigorous primary studies and practical test conditions.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

redox-active organic linkers

Medium

Introducing redox-active organic ligands to tune c-MOF electronic structure is highly desired but challenging.

Proposed direction: Explore mixed-conjugated, defect-engineered and functionalised linker strategies for electrocatalytic activity.

13558 · 5. Summary and perspectives

scalable synthesis

High

Scalable c-MOF synthesis is obstructed by complex, low-yield and poorly soluble p-conjugated linkers.

Proposed direction: Develop facile, cost-effective synthesis routes and new p-conjugated planar linkers suitable for industrially scalable c-MOF electrocatalysts.

13557 · 5. Summary and perspectives

Cited-study map

Mappings show which printed review references have a verified counterpart in the frozen primary corpus.

Show 25 cited-study records
ReferenceStudyRole and contextCorpus mapping
Ref. 112024Title unavailablestability · in_situ_reconstructionUsed by the review as an example of ligand-engineered ZIFs preserving structure by in situ formation of protective oxyhydroxide during OER.Unmapped
Ref. 192020Title unavailabletransport_mechanism · review_frameworkCited for the idea that hopping is common in MOFs and for distinctions among conduction mechanisms including redox and guest-promoted pathways.Unmapped
Ref. 202023Title unavailabletransport_benchmark · extended_conjugationUsed for conductivity comparison of two ligand-engineered 2D c-MOFs and the role of linker electron-density distribution.Unmapped
Ref. 442024Title unavailablemetal_node_effect · hybrid_conductivityCited for a comparative MOF@MXene series where Ni participation improved electrochemical behaviour, density of states and stability.Unmapped
Ref. 602020Title unavailabletransport_taxonomy · review_frameworkCited as the source for classifying MOF design into five primary charge-transport pathways.Unmapped
Ref. 632015Title unavailablethrough_bond · mechanism_benchmarkUsed for sulfur-enabled through-bond conduction and comparison of Fe2(DSBDC) with oxygen-linked analogues.research_0063
Ref. 682014Title unavailabletransport_benchmark · extended_conjugationUsed as the foundational Ni3(HITP)2 example for 2D extended-conjugation conductivity values.Unmapped
Ref. 792023Title unavailablethrough_space · co2rrUsed for vertically conductive 2D Cu MOFs where weaker interlayer interaction exposes sites for CO2RR intermediates.research_0740
Ref. 822022Title unavailableredox_hopping · oerUsed for Ir redox-hopping sites in UiO-66-CNT nanocomposites during OER.Unmapped
Ref. 852024Title unavailableguest_promoted_transport · review_frameworkCited for classification and mechanisms of guest-promoted transport in MOFs.Unmapped
Ref. 902024Title unavailablenrr_benchmark · heterostructureUsed for NRR selectivity and ammonia-yield values from a bimetallic MOF/MXene heterostructure.Unmapped
Ref. 1202020Title unavailableoer_benchmark · transport_benchmarkUsed for Co3(HITP)2 OER overpotential, Tafel slope and conductivity in alkaline solution.Unmapped
Ref. 1222023Title unavailablebimetallic · oerUsed for bimetallic THQ c-MOFs where Ni/Fe ratio tunes d-band centre, intermediate adsorption and OER performance.Unmapped
Ref. 1402018Title unavailableher · bht_frameworksUsed for BHT coordination frameworks and their HER activity linked to proton/electron transfer and active-site population.Unmapped
Ref. 1442015Title unavailableher · linker_comparisonUsed for a HER comparison where BHT-Co outperformed THT-Co due to conjugated ligands and active-site quality.Unmapped
Ref. 1462020Title unavailableher_benchmark · extended_conjugationUsed for HER overpotential and Tafel slope of extended-conjugation HAHATN nanosheets with metal-N2 motifs.research_0513
Ref. 1472022Title unavailableorr_benchmark · mass_transportUsed for high ORR current density and mass-activity comparison of Ni3(HITP)2 on a gas-diffusion electrode.research_0836
Ref. 1492024Title unavailableher_benchmark · nanowire_arraysUsed for conductive Ag-BHT nanowire arrays with high-current HER overpotential and Tafel benchmark.research_0085
Ref. 1542017Title unavailableoer_benchmark · metal_dopingUsed for Fe doping in Ni-based MOFs and resulting OER overpotential/Tafel benchmark.research_0071
Ref. 1552023Title unavailablebifunctional_water_splitting · bimetallicUsed for second-metal incorporation in Co-catecholate full-cell water splitting catalysts.research_0596
Ref. 1562025Title unavailablebimetallic · oer_stabilityUsed for bimetallic CoFe-HHTP nanorods with atomically dispersed Co-O6 and Fe-O6 sites and improved OER stability.Unmapped
Ref. 1572021Title unavailableco2rr_selectivity · guest_interactionUsed for PcCu incorporation enhancing CO2-to-C2H4 selectivity through CuPc/CuO4 synergistic adsorption sites.Unmapped
Ref. 1642025Title unavailableoer · ligand_effectUsed for ligand and Co-dopant effects on Fe-MOF OER activity, including mixed BDC/FDCA ligand optimisation.research_0398
Ref. 1682024Title unavailableseawater_electrolysis · derived_catalystUsed as a seawater electrolysis example where a MOF-derived nanocomposite acts as a bifunctional catalyst.Unmapped
Ref. 1692024Title unavailableseawater_electrolysis · amorphization · stabilityUsed for amorphisation of crystalline MOFs into nanocrystalline 2D sheet-like structures with OER selectivity over chloride evolution.Unmapped