Subnanometer metal organic framework pores can selectively transport alkali metal ions of the same valence and similar sizes.

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A facile reactive seeding (RS) method was developed for the preparation of continuous MOF membranes on alumina porous supports, in which the porous support acted as the inorganic source reacting with the organic precursor to grow a seeding layer.

A zeolitic‐imidazolate‐framework (ZIF) nanocrystal layer‐protected carbonization route is developed to prepare N‐doped nanoporous carbon/graphene nano‐sandwiches. The ZIF/graphene oxide/ZIF sandwich‐like structure with ultrasmall ZIF nanocrystals (i.e., ≈20 nm) fully covering the graphene oxide (GO) is prepared via a homogenous nucleation followed by a uniform deposition and confined growth process. The uniform coating of ZIF nanocrystals on the GO layer can effectively inhibit the agglomeration of GO during high‐temperature treatment (800 °C). After carbonization and acid etching, N‐doped nanoporous carbon/graphene nanosheets are formed, with a high specific surface area (1170 m2 g−1). These N‐doped nanoporous carbon/graphene nanosheets are used as the nonprecious metal electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and exhibit a high onset potential (0.92 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode; RHE) and a large limiting current density (5.2 mA cm−2 at 0.60 V). To further increase the oxygen reduction performance, nanoporous Co‐Nx/carbon nanosheets are also prepared by using cobalt nitrate and zinc nitrate as cometal sources, which reveal higher onset potential (0.96 V) than both commercial Pt/C (0.94 V) and N‐doped nanoporous carbon/graphene nanosheets. Such nanoporous Co‐Nx/carbon nanosheets also exhibit good performance such as high activity, stability, and methanol tolerance in acidic media.

A defect-free zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)/graphene oxide (GO) membrane with a thickness of 100 nm was prepared using two-dimensional (2D) ZIF-8/GO hybrid nanosheets as seeds. Hybrid nanosheets with a suitable amount of ZIF-8 nanocrystals were essential for producing a uniform seeding layer that facilitates fast crystal intergrowth during membrane formation. Moreover, the seeding layer acts as a barrier between two different synthesis solutions, and self-limits crystal growth and effectively eliminates defects during the contra-diffusion process. The resulting ultrathin membranes show excellent molecular sieving gas separation properties, such as with a high CO2 /N2 selectivity of 7.0. This 2D nano-hybrid seeding strategy can be readily extended to the fabrication of other defect-free and ultrathin MOF or zeolite molecular sieving membranes for a wide range of separation applications.

A metal–organic framework (MOF) seed-mediated deposition route is developed to synthesize graphene oxide/core–shell structured MOF nano-sandwiches.

The conversion of biomass into valuable carbon composites as efficient non-precious metal oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts is attractive for the development of commercially viable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell technology. Herein, a versatile iron-tannin-framework ink coating strategy is developed to fabricate cellulose-derived Fe3 C/Fe-N-C catalysts using commercial filter paper, tissue, or cotton as a carbon source, an iron-tannin framework as an iron source, and dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source. The oxygen reduction performance of the resultant Fe3C/Fe-N-C catalysts shows a high onset potential (i.e. 0.98 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), and large kinetic current density normalized to both geometric electrode area and mass of catalysts (6.4 mA cm(-2) and 32 mA mg(-1) at 0.80 V vs RHE) in alkaline condition. This method can even be used to prepare efficient catalysts using waste carbon sources, such as used polyurethane foam.

Cobalt (or iron)-polyphenol coordination polymers with crystalline frameworks are synthesized for the first time. The crystalline framework is formed by the assembly of metal ions and polyphenol followed by oxidative self-polymerization of the organic ligands (polyphenol) during hydrothermal treatment in alkaline condition. As a result, such coordination crystals are even partly stable in strong acid (such as 2 m HCl). The metal (Co or Fe)-natural abundant polyphenol (tannin) coordination crystals are a renewable source for the fabrication of metal/carbon composites as a nonprecious-metal catalyst, which show high catalytic performance for both oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. Such excellent performance makes metal-polyphenol coordination crystals an efficient precursor to fabricate low-cost catalysts for the large-scale application of fuel cells and metal-air batteries.