Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Metal–Organic Frameworks: Multifunctional Materials for High-Performance Zn-Halogen Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02068-0
Ayesha Arif
Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Xinrui Yan
Shanghai Electrochemical Energy Devices Research Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Adil Mansoor
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Thin Films and Applications, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, People’s Republic of China
Tazeen Fatima
Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tayyaba Najam
Institute of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Hassan Akhtar
National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230029, People’s Republic of China
Muhammad Sufyan Javed
Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo 315100, People’s Republic of China
Manzar Sohail
Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Muhammad Altaf Nazir
Institute of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Jiantao Zai
Shanghai Electrochemical Energy Devices Research Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Xiaowei Yang
Shanghai Electrochemical Energy Devices Research Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Syed Shoaib Ahmad Shah
Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Corresponding Author: Syed Shoaib Ahmad Shah

shoaib.ahmad@sns.nust.edu.pk

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 238

Abstract

Aqueous zinc batteries are gaining attention as promising alternatives to Li-ion systems, owing to the increased need for safe and cost-effective energy storage. Aqueous Zn-halogen batteries are particularly important because of their low cost and the abundance of precursors. However, critical challenges, such as the shuttle effect, sluggish redox kinetics, and dendrite growth, impede their practical development. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with high porosity, ease of functionalization, and stability offer a multifunctional approach to overcome these limitations. This review systematically examines the advancements in MOF-based Zn-halogen batteries, focusing on their roles in different components of the battery, including the cathode, anode, and separator. This review also highlights the key design strategies for MOF-based materials and then examines the structure–performance relationships through advanced characterization and computational insights. The remaining challenges and future directions are also outlined. Overall, this review provides a roadmap for developing advanced MOF-based Zn-halogen batteries that combine high energy density and long-term durability for next-generation energy storage applications.


Highlights:
1 This review comprehensively summarizes the application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in aqueous Zn-halogen batteries, covering their roles as cathodes, anodes, and separators.
2 The mechanism of MOFs in suppressing the shuttle effect via nanoconfinement, inhibiting dendrite growth by regulating ion flux, and enhancing redox kinetics through catalytic sites are thoroughly discussed.
3 The structure-performance relationships of MOFs in Zn-halogen batteries are elucidated, linking their porosity, metal nodes, and linker functionalities to overall battery performance.

Keywords

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) Zinc-halogen batteries Shuttle effect Polyhalide confinement Energy storage
Arif, Ayesha, Xinrui Yan, Adil Mansoor, Tazeen Fatima, Tayyaba Najam, Hassan Akhtar, Muhammad Sufyan Javed, Manzar Sohail, Muhammad Altaf Nazir, Jiantao Zai, Xiaowei Yang, and Syed Shoaib Ahmad Shah. 2026. “Metal–Organic Frameworks: Multifunctional Materials for High-Performance Zn-Halogen Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (February):238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02068-0.
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