A facile method to transform metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into metal/metal oxide@carbon (M/MO@C) composites with well-defined shapes is reported. The porosity of carbon and the particle sizes of M/MO are readily controlled by a simple two-step process that includes impregnation of the polymer precursors and a thermolysis reaction.

The electrochemical performance of MOFs for supercapacitor and oxygen reduction reaction applications is significantly improved when conjugated with conductive and 3D connected nanoporous carbon matrices.