Abstract
p. 1Defines the review as an exclusive treatment of 2D MOF nanosheets linking synthesis, structure-function correlations, transport, and energy applications.
Relevance: Core · p. 1 · Abstract
Review · secondary evidenceReview
Next-generation 2D metal-organic framework nanosheets: State-of-the-art synthesis approaches and their integral role in energy conversion and storage
Jinlong Zhu, Songbai Han, Xiaofei Wang et al. · Nano Energy · 2025
10review sections
8material families
15review claims
22secondary benchmarks
36cited studies
8research gaps
Review scope
Review synthesis strategies, structure-function interpretations, and energy conversion/storage roles of 2D MOF nanosheets as a distinct nanosheet class.
- Coverage
- 1999–2025
- Category
- Review Theory Transport
- Material scope
- 2D metal-organic framework nanosheets · MOF-derived nanosheets and hybrids · porphyrinic and pi-conjugated conductive MOFs · MOF/carbon, MOF/MXene, and MOF/metal compound composites
- Transport scope
- electron and ion transport in ultrathin frameworks · mass transport and diffusion-path shortening · charge separation in photocatalysis · conductive-support and heterointerface effects · defect and vacancy modulation of catalytic charge transfer
- Application scope
- OER · HER · ORR · CO2RR · NRR and nitrate reduction · photocatalysis · supercapacitors · lithium-ion batteries · lithium-sulfur batteries
- Explicit exclusions
- Primary extraction of experimental recipes · Exhaustive bibliography transcription · Non-MOF 2D materials except as comparison benchmarks
- Source
- p. 1 · Abstract
- Evidence role
- Context, taxonomy and secondary benchmarking
Section map
The review’s argument is preserved as a navigable set of section summaries.
Application areas of 2D MOF nanosheets
p. 5Organises applications across catalysis, sensing, energy conversion, and storage around surface area, porosity, active sites, and transport.
Relevance: Core · p. 5 · Application areas of 2D MOF nanosheets
Bottom-up strategies
pp. 4-5Covers interfacial, surfactant-assisted, sonochemical, and microdroplet approaches that control nucleation, vertical stacking, defect density, and layer registry.
Relevance: Core · p. 4 · Bottom-up strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Electrocatalytic applications
pp. 6-11Summarises OER, HER, ORR, CO2RR and NRR mechanisms, including exposed active sites, electronic tuning, vacancies, heterointerfaces, and product selectivity.
Relevance: Core · p. 6 · Electrocatalytic applications of 2D MOF nanosheets
Energy storage applications
pp. 12-15Reviews supercapacitors, LIBs, and Li-S batteries through ion transport, active-site access, conductive hybridisation, polysulfide confinement, and cycling stability.
Relevance: Core · p. 12 · Applications of 2D MOF nanosheets in energy storage
Introduction
pp. 1-2Frames energy conversion/storage needs and explains why bulk MOFs are limited by low conductivity and inaccessible sites, motivating 2D nanosheets.
Relevance: Core · pp. 1-2 · Introduction
Conclusion and future prospects
p. 15Consolidates limitations: intrinsic conductivity, harsh-condition stability, reproducible scale-up, incomplete mechanisms, and need for operando/computational design.
Relevance: Core · p. 15 · Current limitations and modification strategies
Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
p. 2Introduces top-down and bottom-up methods and identifies thickness, uniformity, stability, scalability, and environmental footprint as governing concerns.
Relevance: Core · p. 2 · Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Figures and tables
pp. 16-24Provides schematic application taxonomies, synthesis examples, figure-only mechanisms, and comparative tables for top-down, bottom-up, OER, and energy-storage economics.
Relevance: Core · p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3
Top-down strategies
pp. 2-3Covers sonication, micromechanical, freeze-thaw, and solvent-induced exfoliation as methods for separating layered/bulk MOFs into few-layer sheets.
Relevance: Core · p. 2 · Top-down strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Taxonomies
Classification systems are attributed to this review and are not treated as a global material registry.
Controlled Nucleation/Growth EnvironmentAuthor-proposed
Bottom-up synthesis methods
Bottom-up routes control anisotropic growth, layer number, thickness, defect chemistry, and process scalability.
Categories: interfacial synthesis · surfactant-assisted growth · sonication-based synthesis · microdroplet flow · energy-transfer-assisted nanosheets
p. 4 · Surfactant-assisted, sonication, and other miscellaneous synthesis approaches
Application DomainAuthor-proposed
Energy conversion versus energy storage uses
The review separates conversion reactions from storage devices while using 2D nanosheet transport advantages to connect both domains.
Categories: OER · HER · ORR · CO2RR · NRR · supercapacitors · LIBs · Li-S batteries
p. 16 · Figures and tables · Fig. 3
Commercial Feasibility And PerformanceAuthor-proposed
Energy-storage material comparison
Table 4 contrasts cost, scalability, performance, durability, and maturity to frame 2D MOFs as pre-commercial but increasingly scalable.
Categories: activated carbon · transition-metal oxides/sulfides · graphene-based materials · 2D MOF nanosheets
p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 4
Fabrication PathwayAuthor-proposed
Top-down versus bottom-up synthesis
Top-down methods disintegrate bulk/layered MOFs; bottom-up methods assemble nanosheets from molecular precursors under controlled growth conditions.
Categories: top-down exfoliation · bottom-up assembly
p. 2 · Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
External Force Or Interlayer-Disruption MechanismAuthor-proposed
Top-down exfoliation methods
The review treats these as complementary exfoliation mechanisms for weakening van der Waals, pi-pi, hydrogen-bonding or hydrophobic interlayer forces.
Categories: sonication · micromechanical exfoliation · freeze-thaw exfoliation · solvent-induced exfoliation
p. 2 · Top-down strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Material families
Review-defined families retain their representative materials and conduction descriptions.
Ni/Fe/Co bimetallic OER nanosheets
2D Nanosheets Or Nanosheet Arrays On Conductive SupportsTransition-metal MOF nanosheets and derivatives engineered with mixed metal sites, vacancies, sulfurisation or reconstructed oxyhydroxide active phases.
Conduction: Conductive substrates, vacancies and reconstructed oxyhydroxides improve charge transfer and lower OER barriers.
Representative materials: Ni3Fe-TPA/NF · Ni3Fe d-MHOF · Fe-Ni MOF NSs/NF · Co3Fe-MOF
Nodes / linkers: Ni · Fe · Co · BDC · TPA · hydroxide-organic frameworks
p. 7 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in OER
Pi-conjugated conductive coordination nanosheets
Single-Layer, Multilayer Or Thin 2D FilmsConductive dithiolene, BHT, THT and related pi-d conjugated MOF nanosheets highlighted for ORR and electronic transport comparisons.
Conduction: In-plane conjugation and metal-sulfur networks support higher electronic conductivity and accelerated ORR charge transport.
Representative materials: Pd-BHT · Ni-BHT · Cu3(BHT) · Co3(THT)2H3
Nodes / linkers: Pd · Ni · Cu · Co · BHT · THT · bis(dithiolene) · thiolate linkers
p. 5 · Energy conversion applications of 2D MOF nanosheets
2D MOF nanosheets
Single- To Few-Layer 2D NanosheetsUltrathin metal-organic frameworks with high surface area, exposed active sites, tunable porosity and modular metal-ligand chemistry.
Conduction: Short diffusion pathways and exposed nodes enhance electron/ion transport relative to bulk MOFs, but pristine conductivity can still be limiting.
Representative materials: NiCo-UMOFNs · CuBDC nanosheets · ZIF-L nanosheets
Nodes / linkers: Ni · Co · Cu · Zn · Zr · Fe · carboxylates · porphyrins · imidazolates · dithiolene/thiolate linkers
p. 1 · Abstract
Interfacial MOF films and nanosheets
Large-Area Single-Layer, Few-Layer Or Wafer-Scale Oriented FilmsMOF nanosheets prepared at liquid-air, liquid-liquid or liquid-solid interfaces with controlled orientation, thickness and domain size.
Conduction: Orientation-defined films and interfaces can improve active-site access and device integration.
Representative materials: NAFS-1 · NAFS-2 · Ni MOF NSs-6 · Cu-ZnPc
Nodes / linkers: Cu · Co · Ni · TCPP · HHTP · phthalocyanine-like linkers
p. 4 · Interfacial synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets
MOF-derived carbon and chalcogenide nanosheets
2D Porous Carbon Nanosheets And Hybrid Nanosheets2D carbons, doped carbons, sulfides, selenides and telluride-decorated nanosheets derived from MOF precursors for storage and electrocatalysis.
Conduction: Carbonisation or chalcogenide integration improves electrical conductivity and catalytic/adsorptive interfaces.
Representative materials: B/N-C NS · ZIF-8-NS-C · FeTe2/CN · GNS/Ni7S6
Nodes / linkers: B/N doped carbon · Fe · Ni · Co · Zn · imidazolate-derived carbon · MOF-derived porous carbon
p. 11 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in NRR
Porphyrinic 2D MOF nanosheets
Ultrathin 2D Nanosheets And Interfacial FilmsNanosheets built from TCPP or related metal-porphyrin linkers that tune CO2RR, ORR and light-driven charge transfer.
Conduction: Planar conjugation and metal centres facilitate charge separation, pi-back donation and intermediate stabilisation.
Representative materials: TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB · Cu2(CuTCPP) · Zn-TCPP · M-TCPP
Nodes / linkers: Zr · Co · Cu · Zn · TCPP · CuTCPP · metalloporphyrins
p. 10 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in CO2RR
2D MOF hybrid storage electrodes
2D Nanosheet Hybrid Electrodes And ArraysMOF nanosheets combined with PANI, CNTs, graphene, metal oxides or metal foams to overcome conductivity and aggregation limitations in storage devices.
Conduction: Conductive additives improve charge transport, rate capability and mechanical integrity.
Representative materials: CFP/ZIF-L/PANI · Ni-TCPP/CNT · NCMO@NiCo-MOF · Co-BTB-LB
Nodes / linkers: Co · Ni · Zn · Ru · BTB · TCPP · ZIF linkers
p. 12 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets for SCs
Zr-based 2D MOF nanosheets
Ultrathin Nanosheets And Nanosheet MembranesZr-carboxylate or Zr-porphyrin nanosheets used in CO2RR, gas adsorption and Li-S separator/interlayer designs.
Conduction: Porous Zr frameworks offer stable active-site scaffolds; conductive supports or redox linkers are needed for higher transport.
Representative materials: MF-ZrBTB · TCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB · Zr-Fc MOF/CNT · Zr-TCPP(Ni)@PP
Nodes / linkers: Zr · Co · Fe · Ni · BTB · TCPP · ferrocene-containing linkers
p. 5 · Other Approaches for 2D MOF Nanosheet Synthesis
Synthesis strategies
Review-level synthesis principles remain separate from primary-study recipes.
Freeze-thaw exfoliation
Uses repeated solvent freezing and thawing to expand and contract interlayer structures and gently delaminate nanosheets.
Claimed effects: Offers mild, scalable exfoliation with minimal structural damage and preserved responsive functions.
Controlling variables: cycle number · freezing rate · temperature range · solvent and dispersion conditions
Representative materials: MAMS-1 · MDAF-1
Caveat: Applicability depends on solvent/framework flexibility and repeatable cycle control.
p. 3 · Freeze-Thaw exfoliation of 2D MOF nanosheets
Interfacial synthesis
Grows MOF nanosheets at liquid-air, liquid-liquid or liquid-solid interfaces to favour lateral growth and suppress vertical stacking.
Claimed effects: Controls thickness, orientation and crystallinity; can be scaled through emulsified or continuous interfacial systems.
Controlling variables: precursor ratio · interface type · pH · temperature · interfacial tension · reaction time
Representative materials: NAFS-1 · NAFS-2 · Ni MOF NSs-6 · Cu-ZnPc
Caveat: Film transfer, robustness and reproducible defect density remain engineering issues.
p. 4 · Interfacial synthesis of 2D MOF nanosheets
Continuous microdroplet flow synthesis
Uses dynamic microdroplet growth environments to restrict vertical stacking and support continuous production of Zr-MOF nanosheets.
Claimed effects: Improves crystallinity, lateral area, surface area and potential scale-up for gas adsorption and related uses.
Controlling variables: droplet size · residence time · supersaturation · flow rate · shear rate
Representative materials: MF-ZrBTB · ST-ZrBTB
Caveat: The review reports promise but does not provide a full techno-economic assessment.
p. 5 · Other Approaches for 2D MOF Nanosheet Synthesis
Micromechanical and shear exfoliation
Applies grinding, ball milling, shear or tape-like peeling to overcome weak interlayer interactions.
Claimed effects: Can yield large, crystalline nanosheets and scalable material quantities where interlayer hydrogen bonding is controlled.
Controlling variables: shear force · grinding or milling intensity · solvent environment · interlayer coupling strength
Representative materials: vdW MOF-2 · Cu-based MOF nanosheets
Caveat: Mechanical routes can introduce defects or size dispersity if not controlled.
p. 3 · Micromechanical exfoliation of 2D MOF nanosheets
Solvent-induced exfoliation
Uses selective solvent-framework interactions to disrupt hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic or pi-pi interlayer interactions.
Claimed effects: Preserves structural integrity while tailoring nanosheet thickness, morphology and dispersibility.
Controlling variables: solvent polarity · water quantity · exposure time · processing conditions
Representative materials: MOP-MIA nanosheets · kgmSMe nanosheets
Caveat: Solvent choice can affect environmental footprint and may require downstream removal or recycling.
p. 3 · Exfoliation of 2D MOF nanosheets via solvent-induction
Sonication-assisted exfoliation
Uses high-frequency sound waves and solvent effects to weaken interlayer forces in layered MOFs or membranes.
Claimed effects: Produces well-dispersed few-layer nanosheets with high surface area and accessible active sites; can be combined with post-synthetic modification.
Controlling variables: solvent selection · sonication time · sonication power · intercalating species
Representative materials: Ni2+@Ce-MOF · Cu-MOF nanosheets · 2D Zn-MOF nanosheets
Caveat: Excess energy may damage frameworks; thickness and reproducibility remain process-dependent.
p. 2 · Exfoliation of 2D MOF nanosheets via sonication
Sonication-based bottom-up synthesis
Uses ultrasonic cavitation as an energy source to accelerate metal-ligand complexation and form nanosheets directly from solution.
Claimed effects: Rapid, energy-efficient formation of ultrathin colloidal nanosheets with good dispersibility.
Controlling variables: ultrasonic energy · reaction time · metal/linker concentration · solvent
Representative materials: NiCo-UMOFNs · Zn-BTC-derived nanosheets
Caveat: Cavitation conditions can be difficult to scale uniformly without reactor control.
p. 5 · Sonication-Based Synthesis of 2D MOF Nanosheets
Surfactant-assisted anisotropic growth
Uses amphiphilic surfactants or bio-based modulators to bind facets, block axial growth and template mesoporosity or defects.
Claimed effects: Enables sub-10 nm sheets and tailorable thickness with improved uniformity and catalytic accessibility.
Controlling variables: surfactant head-group chemistry · tail length · critical micelle concentration · precursor concentration
Representative materials: Zn-TCPP · UiO-66 nanosheets
Caveat: Surfactant residues and removal protocols can affect active sites and sustainability.
p. 4 · Surfactant-Assisted Strategies for 2D MOF Nanosheet Fabrication
Review claims
These are the review authors’ synthesis, not newly measured results.
Consensus SummaryHigh supportStructure Property Link
Two-dimensional confinement increases exposed active-site density, shortens electron/ion transport distances and supports faster mass diffusion.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Magnitude varies by framework and conductivity engineering.
p. 1 · Introduction
Author InterpretationHigh supportSynthesis Strategy
Bottom-up interfacial and surfactant methods can programme thickness, defect density and metal-ligand stoichiometry more directly than exfoliation.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Scale-up and reproducible defect control still require engineering validation.
p. 4 · Bottom-up strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Consensus SummaryHigh supportTransport Mechanism
Bulk 3D MOFs are often limited as catalysts by poor electrical conductivity, buried active sites and longer ion/electron pathways.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: This is the review's synthesis of prior literature, not a new measurement.
p. 1 · Introduction
Consensus SummaryHigh supportStructure Property Link
CO2RR selectivity in 2D MOFs is interpreted through metal-centre d-band tuning, porphyrinic pi-back-donation and ligand-controlled stabilisation of CO2RR intermediates.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Reported selectivities are secondary summaries and must be checked in primary papers before quantitative use.
p. 10 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in CO2RR
Author InterpretationMedium supportMaterial Comparison
2D MOF nanosheets are positioned as emerging, pre-commercial energy-storage materials with moderate but declining cost and increasing scalability via green/flow routes.
Evidence basis: review_reasoning
Caveat: Table 4 is qualitative and should not be used as cost data.
p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 4
Author InterpretationHigh supportCaveat
Greener synthesis routes are emerging, but systematic life-cycle assessment remains scarce.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: The review gives examples rather than a quantitative LCA.
p. 2 · Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Consensus SummaryMedium supportStructure Property Link
HER improvements are attributed to active-site exposure, adsorption-energy tuning, interface engineering with MoS2 or noble metals, and conductive multilevel architectures.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Some examples use noble-metal hybrids and should not be treated as intrinsically non-precious MOF performance.
p. 8 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in HER
Author InterpretationHigh supportCaveat
Low intrinsic electrical conductivity is a major barrier for high-current-density operation and motivates metal-node doping, redox-active ligands and conductive supports.
Evidence basis: review_reasoning
Caveat: Conductivity problem varies strongly among conductive and nonconductive MOF families.
p. 15 · Current limitations and modification strategies
Consensus SummaryHigh supportStructure Property Link
For Li-S batteries, 2D MOF nanosheets are interpreted as polysulfide traps, ion sieves and catalytic interlayers that suppress shuttling and accelerate sulfur redox kinetics.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Long-cycle degradation, pore collapse and linker decomposition remain concerns.
p. 14 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets for Li-S batteries
Author InterpretationMedium supportStructure Property Link
For nitrogen or nitrate reduction, the review emphasises dual-active-site interfaces, built-in electric fields and ligand-controlled environments as routes to better ammonia production.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: NRR/NitRR performance is especially sensitive to contamination and validation protocols; this review does not itself audit that issue.
p. 11 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in NRR
Consensus SummaryHigh supportTransport Mechanism
For OER, 2D MOF nanosheets are interpreted to tune metal-centre electronic structure, expose unsaturated sites, incorporate vacancies and reconstruct into active oxyhydroxide phases.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Mechanisms can differ by metal, electrolyte and reconstructed phase.
p. 6 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in OER
Author InterpretationHigh supportMeasurement Interpretation
The review calls for in situ/operando characterisation, computation and machine learning to resolve dynamic structural and electronic changes during operation.
Evidence basis: review_reasoning
Caveat: This is an outlook claim, not a demonstrated workflow.
p. 15 · Future research directions
Consensus SummaryHigh supportStructure Property Link
In storage devices, 2D MOF nanosheets are framed as ion-transport and active-site-access platforms that require conductivity enhancement for practical electrodes.
Evidence basis: multi_reference
Caveat: Hybridisation complicates attribution of performance to the MOF alone.
p. 12 · Applications of 2D MOF nanosheets in energy storage
Author InterpretationHigh supportCaveat
Thinner nanosheets increase active-site exposure and transport efficiency, but excessive thinning can compromise mechanical stability and durability.
Evidence basis: review_reasoning
Caveat: No universal thickness optimum is given.
p. 2 · Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
DescriptiveMedium supportSynthesis Strategy
Top-down exfoliation can retain intrinsic bulk-MOF properties while making more surface area and active sites accessible.
Evidence basis: review_reasoning
Caveat: Damage and dispersity are method-dependent.
p. 2 · Top-down strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Secondary benchmarks
Every row remains visibly secondary and links to a primary dossier only where the mapping is verified.
| Material | Property | Reported value | Context and quality | Primary evidence | Review source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SecondaryB/N-C NS | ammonia yield and faradaic efficiency | 153.4 ug h-1 mg-1; FE 33.1% | Ambient ammonia electrosynthesis; MOF-derived B/N co-doped porous carbon nanosheets Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 11 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in NRR |
| SecondaryCo-BTB-LB nanosheets | specific capacitance | 4969.3 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 | Asymmetric supercapacitor positive electrode; liquid-liquid interface-assisted synthesis Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 12 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets for SCs |
| SecondaryCu2(CuTCPP) nanosheets | faradaic efficiency for formate | 68.4% at -1.55 V vs Ag/Ag+ | CO2RR in CO2-saturated CH3CN solution with water/EMIMBF4 per figure caption Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 10 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in CO2RR |
| SecondaryEV-HNSs | areal capacity | 186.25 mF cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2 | Dual-electroactive MOF nanosheets for supercapacitors Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 12 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets for SCs |
| SecondaryFCN-MOF/NF nanosheets | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 196 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; eta at 100 mA cm-2 = 225 mV; Tafel slope 29.5 mV dec-1 Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryFe(py)2[Pt(CN)4] | film thickness | 16 nm | Liquid/solid synthesis route in Table 2 Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
| SecondaryLS-6%-NiFe-MOF nanosheets | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 215 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; Tafel slope 42.1 mV dec-1; stable 50 h Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryMoS2@CoSe2-CC hybrid (TMD) | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 200 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; comparison 2D TMD hybrid, not a MOF nanosheet Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryN-NiFe-MOF nanosheets | OER overpotential at 100 mA cm-2 | 248 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; 2000 CV cycles plus 12 h at 100 mA cm-2 Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryNH2-MIL-53(Al) | nanosheet thickness | 35-45 nm | Surfactant-assisted CTAB bottom-up synthesis Table · Range | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
| SecondaryNi3Fe d-MHOF | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 207 mV | 2D d-MHOF with controlled oxygen vacancies Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 7 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in OER |
| SecondaryNi3Fe-TPA/NF | OER overpotential in alkaline seawater | 265 mV at 10 mA cm-2 | Alkaline seawater; in situ phase transition to Ni3FeOOH discussed Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 7 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in OER |
| SecondaryNi-BDC@Co-HHTP | nitrate reduction ammonia output and FE | 11.46 mg h-1 cm-2; FE 98.4% | NO3-RR to NH3; MOF-on-MOF heterostructure Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 11 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in NRR |
| SecondaryNi-BHT (nano-1) | nanosheet thickness | 0.6 nm | Liquid/air synthesis route in Table 2 Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
| SecondaryNi(Fe)-MOF nanosheets | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 290 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; Table 3 also reports Tafel slope 60 mV dec-1 and 94% retention after 20 h Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryNi-MOF@Pt | HER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 43 mV | 0.5 M H2SO4; Tafel slope 30 mV dec-1 in review text Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 8 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in HER |
| SecondaryPd-BHT | nanosheet thickness | 4-10 nm | Liquid/air synthesis route in Table 2 Table · Range | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
| SecondaryPdTCPP-Cu (NAFS-13) | layer number/thickness category | Single-layer | Liquid-air interfacial synthesis Table · Qualitative | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
| SecondaryTCPP(Co)/Zr-BTB | CO2RR turnover frequency | 4768 h-1 at -0.919 V vs RHE | CO2 electroreduction to CO; cobalt porphyrin anchored on Zr-BTB nanosheets Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 10 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets in CO2RR |
| SecondaryV-Ni MOF nanosheet arrays | OER overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 | 260 mV | OER in 1.0 M KOH; eta at 100 mA cm-2 = 290 mV; stable for 50 h Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 3 |
| SecondaryZIF-8-NS-C composite | Li-S discharge capacity | 785 mAh g-1 at 2 C | Sulfur immobilizer in Li-S batteries Text · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 14 · Applications of 2D MOF Nanosheets for Li-S batteries |
| SecondaryZnTPyP-Cu (NAFS-21) | nanosheet thickness | 0.5 nm | Liquid/air synthesis route in Table 2 Table · Exact Reported | No verified corpus mapping | p. 24 · Figures and tables · Table 2 |
Research gaps
Open questions are presented as review-author priorities, not conclusions from the primary database.
Device translation
MediumThe review calls for movement from laboratory proof-of-concept to scalable device architectures.
Proposed direction: Integrate nanosheets into fuel cells, solar-to-fuel photoelectrochemical systems, CO2 electrolysers and robust battery separators/electrodes.
p. 15 · Future research directions
Operational stability
HighStability under acidic, strongly alkaline, oxidative or industrially relevant operation remains unresolved for many 2D MOF nanosheets.
Proposed direction: Hydrophobic ligand functionalisation, post-synthetic metal exchange, encapsulation in conductive matrices, and long-term device testing.
p. 15 · Current limitations and modification strategies
Electrical conductivity
HighLow intrinsic conductivity restricts high-current-density operation and complicates attribution of performance to pristine MOFs.
Proposed direction: Use redox-active or pi-conjugated ligands, metal-node doping, conductive supports and hybrid electrodes while separating component contributions.
p. 15 · Current limitations and modification strategies
Life-cycle assessment
MediumAlthough greener routes are discussed, systematic life-cycle assessment is reported as scarce.
Proposed direction: Compare solvent, energy, yield, waste and precursor impacts across top-down and bottom-up routes.
p. 2 · Strategies for synthesizing 2D MOF nanosheets
Underexplored storage chemistries
MediumSelenium-based batteries and Li-SeS2 systems are identified as underexplored opportunities for 2D MOF nanosheets.
Proposed direction: Extend defect-engineered and conductive hybrid 2D MOFs beyond LIB/Li-S/SC systems.
p. 15 · Future research directions
Mechanistic understanding
HighDynamic structural/electronic changes during operation remain incompletely understood.
Proposed direction: Integrate in situ/operando spectroscopy, synchrotron methods, computation and machine learning.
p. 15 · Current limitations and modification strategies
Scalable and green synthesis
HighThe review argues that environmentally friendly, low-energy, reproducible and defect-controlled synthesis remains a bottleneck.
Proposed direction: Continuous-flow microreactors, solvent recycling, surfactant-free assembly and room-temperature/aqueous routes.
p. 15 · Future research directions
Performance benchmarking
HighThe abstract identifies standardized performance benchmarking as a critical gap for translating laboratory claims.
Proposed direction: Use common protocols for electrolyte, loading, current density, stability duration and reporting of secondary versus primary values.
p. 1 · Abstract
Cited-study map
Mappings show which printed review references have a verified counterpart in the frozen primary corpus.
Show 36 cited-study records
| Reference | Study | Role and context | Corpus mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref. 992024 | Surface reconstruction and structural transformation of two-dimensional Ni-Fe MOFs for oxygen evolution in seawater media | oer_benchmark · surface_reconstructionSelected because the review uses this study as oer_benchmark, surface_reconstruction evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1052017 | Monoclinic ZIF-8 nanosheet-derived 2D carbon nanosheets as sulfur immobilizer for high-performance lithium sulfur batteries | li_s_battery_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as li_s_battery_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1132019 | Ultrathin 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets prepared via sonication exfoliation of membranes from interfacial growth and exhibition of enhanced catalytic activity by their gold nanocomposites | synthesis_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1252021 | Effective enhancement of capacitive performance by the facile exfoliation of bulk metal–organic frameworks into 2D-functionalized nanosheets | synthesis_example · supercapacitor_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, supercapacitor_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1282018 | Ultimate Control over Hydrogen Bond Formation and Reaction Rates for Scalable Synthesis of Highly Crystalline vdW MOF Nanosheets with Large Aspect Ratio | synthesis_example · structure_controlSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, structure_control evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1312017 | Reversed thermo-switchable molecular sieving membranes composed of two-dimensional metal-organic nanosheets for gas separation | synthesis_example · membrane_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, membrane_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1332017 | Self-Exfoliated Metal-Organic Nanosheets through Hydrolytic Unfolding of Metal-Organic Polyhedra | synthesis_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1342018 | Stepwise expansion of layered metal–organic frameworks for nonstochastic exfoliation into porous nanosheets | synthesis_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1562021 | An efficient interfacial synthesis of two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production | synthesis_example · orr_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, orr_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1572024 | Liquid-Liquid interfacial approach for rapid synthesis of Well-Crystalline Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic frameworks for nitro reduction | synthesis_example · scaleup_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, scaleup_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1662015 | Ultrathin 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets | synthesis_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1672019 | Fabrication of 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets with tailorable thickness using bio-based surfactants and their application in catalysis | synthesis_example · green_synthesisSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, green_synthesis evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1712016 | Ultrathin metal–organic framework nanosheets for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution | synthesis_example · oer_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, oer_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1752018 | Bottom-up fabrication of ultrathin 2D Zr metal–organic framework nanosheets through a facile continuous microdroplet flow reaction | synthesis_example · scaleup_exampleSelected because the review uses this study as synthesis_example, scaleup_example evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1772018 | Nanosheets of nonlayered aluminum metal–organic frameworks through a surfactant-assisted method | bottom_up_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1792013 | Interfacial growth of large-area single-layer metal-organic framework nanosheets | bottom_up_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1802015 | Interfacial synthesis of electrically conducting palladium bis (dithiolene) complex nanosheet | bottom_up_table_benchmark · conductive_mofSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark, conductive_mof evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1842014 | Fabrication of Dense and Multilayered Films of a Nickel Bis (dithiolene) Nanosheet by Means of the Langmuir–Schäfer Method | bottom_up_table_benchmark · conductive_mofSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark, conductive_mof evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1852013 | Bottom-up assembly of ultrathin sub-micron size metal–organic framework sheets | bottom_up_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 1862016 | Crystalline coordination framework endowed with dynamic gate-opening behaviour by being downsized to a thin film | bottom_up_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as bottom_up_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2042019 | Semisacrificial template growth of self-supporting MOF nanocomposite electrode for efficient electrocatalytic water oxidation | oer_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as oer_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2052021 | In Situ Construction of Flexible V-Ni Redox Centers over Ni-Based MOF Nanosheet Arrays for Electrochemical Water Oxidation | oer_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as oer_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2072020 | Composition-balanced trimetallic MOFs as ultra-efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction at high current densities | oer_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as oer_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2082022 | Nitridation-induced metal–organic framework nanosheet for enhanced water oxidation electrocatalysis | oer_table_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as oer_table_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2092020 | Lattice strain induced by linker scission in metal–organic framework nanosheets for oxygen evolution reaction | oer_table_benchmark · defect_engineeringSelected because the review uses this study as oer_table_benchmark, defect_engineering evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2122022 | MoS2 nanosheets vertically grown on CoSe2 hollow nanotube arrays as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction | comparison_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as comparison_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2432024 | In Situ Modulation of Oxygen Vacancies on 2D Metal Hydroxide Organic Frameworks for High-Efficiency Oxygen Evolution Reaction | oer_benchmark · defect_engineeringSelected because the review uses this study as oer_benchmark, defect_engineering evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2582019 | Direct hybridization of noble metal nanostructures on 2D metal–organic framework nanosheets to catalyze hydrogen evolution | her_benchmark · heterostructureSelected because the review uses this study as her_benchmark, heterostructure evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2872020 | Two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets with cobalt-porphyrins for high-performance CO2 electroreduction | co2rr_benchmark · porphyrinic_mofSelected because the review uses this study as co2rr_benchmark, porphyrinic_mof evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 2882019 | Cathodized copper porphyrin metal–organic framework nanosheets for selective formate and acetate production from CO2 electroreduction | co2rr_benchmark · porphyrinic_mofSelected because the review uses this study as co2rr_benchmark, porphyrinic_mof evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3032023 | Controllable Exfoliation of MOF-Derived Van Der Waals Superstructure into Ultrathin 2D B/N Co-Doped Porous Carbon Nanosheets: A Superior Catalyst for Ambient Ammonia Electrosynthesis | nrr_benchmark · mof_derived_carbonSelected because the review uses this study as nrr_benchmark, mof_derived_carbon evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3052024 | MOF-on-MOF Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Efficient Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia | nitrate_reduction_benchmark · heterostructureSelected because the review uses this study as nitrate_reduction_benchmark, heterostructure evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3262023 | A Cobalt-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheet as the Electrode for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor | supercapacitor_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as supercapacitor_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3332022 | Dual-electroactive metal–organic framework nanosheets as negative electrode materials for supercapacitors | supercapacitor_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as supercapacitor_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3432018 | Metal-organic framework nanosheets-guided uniform lithium deposition for metallic lithium batteries | lib_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as lib_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |
| Ref. 3632021 | 2D Zr-Fc metal-organic frameworks with highly efficient anchoring and catalytic conversion ability towards polysulfides for advanced Li-S battery | li_s_battery_benchmarkSelected because the review uses this study as li_s_battery_benchmark evidence for 2D MOF nanosheets. | Unmapped |