MOF-derived nanocarbon materials for electrochemical catalysis and their advanced characterization

Because of the demand for clean and sustainable energy sources, nanocarbons, modified carbons and their composite materials derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as distinct catalysts for electrocatalytic energy conversion. These materials not only inherit the advantages of MOFs, like customizable dopants and structural diversity, but also effectively prevent the aggregation of nanoparticles of metals and metal oxides during pyrolysis. Consequently, they increase the electrocatalytic efficiency, improve electrical conductivity, and may play a pivotal role in green energy technologies such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. This review first explores the carbonization mechanism of the MOF-derived carbon-based materials, and then considers 3 key aspects: intrinsic carbon defects, metal and non-metal atom doping, and the synthesis strategies for these materials. We also provide a comprehensive introduction to advanced characterization techniques to better understand the basic electrochemical catalysis processes, including mapping techniques for detecting localized active sites on electrocatalyst surfaces at the micro- to nano-scale and in-situ spectroscopy. Finally, we offer insights into future research concerning their use as electrocatalysts. Our primary objective is to provide a clearer perspective on the current status of MOF-derived carbon-based electrocatalysts and encourage the development of more efficient materials.