Lithium storage mechanisms and kinetics in MOF-based anodes: from pristine frameworks to derived materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives are found to be promising lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes, yet their complex lithium storage mechanisms and kinetic behaviors remain insufficiently understood. In this review, lithium storage mechanisms in LIB anodes are systematically summarized, distinguishing between ligand- and metal-centered redox in pristine MOFs, and conversion, alloying, and host storage in MOF-derived materials. Pseudocapacitive contributions in bridging battery-type and capacitive behaviors to enhance storage kinetics, driven by fast surface-controlled Faradaic reactions, are also emphasized in this review. Furthermore, electrochemical, spectroscopic, structural, and theoretical characterizations for mechanism identification are evaluated in this work. Finally, future directions on anode material design are proposed, targeting multi-redox-active sites, extra storage capacity, and green material choices, providing practical guidance for developing high-performance MOF-based anodes.