Micro/Nanoscale Open Framework Materials (OFMs)

A topical collection in Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This collection belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials and Metal-Organic Frameworks".

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Editors


E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
Interests: metal–organic frameworks; porous materials; fluorescent sensors; environmental sustainability; photocatalysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

grade E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: functional porous materials; metal–organic frameworks; photocatalysis; electrocatalysis; gas separation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Open framework materials (OFMs), including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), and others, have emerged as promising materials. Thanks to their abundant functions derived from a unique combination of properties, such as tailored chemical functionality, high surface areas, uniform porosity, and well-defined periodic structures, they make suitable candidates for various applications. Currently, OFMs are attracting significant research interest from disciplines across chemistry, materials science, biomedicine, and engineering. The outstanding structural diversity and precise controllability of OFM structures have endowed them with incredible functions that can address many enduring societal challenges pertaining to energy and environmental sustainability.

This Topical collection of Nanomaterials focuses on the design, synthesis, characterization, and applications of these materials across various fields, including but not limited to gas storage and separation, chemical sensing, photoelectrocatalysis, pollutant adsorption and degradation, organic transformation, drug delivery, and so on.

We hope that this collection will provide a comprehensive understanding of the state-of-the-art research, challenges, and future prospects of OFMs. Original research articles, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Jian Wang
Prof. Dr. Junkuo Gao
Collection Editors

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Keywords

  • metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
  • covalent organic frameworks (COFs)
  • hydrogen–bonded organic frameworks (HOFs)
  • porous materials
  • sensor
  • photoelectrocatalysis/catalysis
  • gas storage and separation
  • energy

Published Papers (2 papers)

2025

48 pages, 9875 KiB  
Review
Rare Earth Ce/CeO2 Electrocatalysts: Role of High Electronic Spin State of Ce and Ce3+/Ce4+ Redox Couple on Oxygen Reduction Reaction
by Shaik Gouse Peera and Seung Won Kim
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(8), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15080600 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 442
Abstract
With unique 4f electronic shells, rare earth metal-based catalysts have been attracting tremendous attention in electrocatalysis, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In particular, atomically dispersed Ce/CeO2-based catalysts have been explored extensively due to several unique features. This review article provides a [...] Read more.
With unique 4f electronic shells, rare earth metal-based catalysts have been attracting tremendous attention in electrocatalysis, including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In particular, atomically dispersed Ce/CeO2-based catalysts have been explored extensively due to several unique features. This review article provides a comprehensive understanding of (i) the significance of the effect of Ce high-spin state on ORR activity enhancement on the Pt and non-pt electrocatalysts, (ii) the spatially confining and stabilizing effect of ceria on the generation of atomically dispersed transition metal-based catalysts, (iii) experimental and theoretical evidence of the effect of Ce3+ ↔ Ce4+ redox pain on radical scavenging, (iv) the effect of the Ce 4f electrons on the d-band center and electron transfer between Ce to the N-doped carbon and transition metal catalysts for enhanced ORR activity, and (v) the effect of Pt/CeO2/carbon heterojunctions on the stability of the Pt/CeO2/carbon electrocatalyst for ORR. Among several strategies of synthesizing Ce/CeO2 electrocatalysts, the metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived catalysts are being perused extensively due to the tendency of Ce to readily coordinate with O- and N-containing ligands, which upon undergoing pyrolysis, results in the formation of high surface area, porous carbon networks with atomically dispersed metallic/clusters/nanoparticles of Ce active sites. This review paper provides an overview of recent advancements regarding Ce/CeO2-based catalysts derived from the MOF precursor for ORR in fuel cells and metal–air battery applications and we conclude with insights into key issues and future development directions. Full article
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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 7136 KiB  
Article
Mesoporous Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Support from ZIF-8 for Pt Catalysts in Oxygen Reduction Reaction
by Sangyeup Park, Jong Gyeong Kim, Youngin Cho and Chanho Pak
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15020128 - 16 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1082
Abstract
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been extensively studied as a precursor for nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) materials due to its high surface area, tunable porosity, and adjustable nitrogen content. However, the intrinsic microporous structure of the ZIF-8 limits mass transport and accessibility of reactants [...] Read more.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) has been extensively studied as a precursor for nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) materials due to its high surface area, tunable porosity, and adjustable nitrogen content. However, the intrinsic microporous structure of the ZIF-8 limits mass transport and accessibility of reactants to active sites, reducing its effectiveness in electrochemical applications. In this study, a soft templating approach using a triblock copolymer was used to prepare mesoporous ZIF-8-derived NC (Meso-ZIF-NC) samples. The hierarchical porous structure was investigated by varying the ratios of Pluronic F-127, NaClO4, and toluene. The resulting Meso-ZIF-NC exhibited widespread pore size distribution with an enhanced mesopore (2–50 nm) volume according to the composition of the reaction mixtures. Pt nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the Meso-ZIF-NC to form Pt/Meso-ZIF-NC catalysts, which presented a high electrochemical surface area and improved oxygen reduction reaction activity. The study highlights the important role of mesopore structure and nitrogen doping in enhancing catalytic performance, providing a pathway for advanced fuel cell catalyst design. Full article
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