Metal-organic framework/MXene composites: design strategies and applications for energy storage, catalysis, and sensing

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as crystalline porous materials with tunable chemical compositions, have attracted widespread interest for energy-related applications. However, their low electrical conductivity and limited structural stability under electrochemical conditions restrict practical deployment. Integrating MOFs with two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) creates composite materials that combine the high surface area and active sites of MOFs with the metallic conductivity and mechanical flexibility of MXenes. This review summarizes recent progress on MOF/MXene composites. The major synthetic routes are classified into four categories: in situ growth with interfacial chemical bonding, electrostatic self-assembly, post-synthetic transformation into metal oxides, sulfides, and phosphides, and interface engineering. Their applications are discussed across electrochemical energy storage (lithium, sodium, potassium, and zinc-ion batteries, and supercapacitors), energy conversion (electrocatalytic hydrogen/oxygen evolution, oxygen reduction, and photocatalysis), and sensing. Despite research advances, challenges remain for practical application, including MXene oxidation during processing and operation, difficulties in large-scale fabrication with batch-to-batch consistency, and the need for precise interfacial regulation. Finally, future research directions are outlined, including artificial intelligence-assisted material screening, construction of three-dimensional hierarchical structures, and evaluation of industrial applicability through standardized testing protocols.