MOF@metal-sulfide: Revolutionizing hybrid materials from structural engineering to advanced energy and environmental applications

The expanding issues of environmental contamination and worldwide energy consumption highlight the importance of innovative materials for efficient energy conversion, storage, and cleanup. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal sulfides have emerged as intriguing possibilities; nevertheless, their individual limitations—such as poor conductivity and stability in MOFs and limited cycling endurance in metal sulfides—limit their practical uses. MOF@Metal-Sulfide composites provide a potent solution by combining the high porosity, adjustable structure, and huge surface area of MOFs with the better electrical conductivity and catalytic activity of sulfides. This review provides a thorough examination of these hybrid materials, including their structural architectures (core-shell, hollow, porous, and yolk-shell), composition-dependent types, and various synthetic strategies, such as in situ growth, sulphurization, deposition, and MOF-derivative pathways. The main characterization techniques used to investigate their structural, optical, and electrical properties are summarized. The mechanisms influencing their performance in photocatalytic water splitting, electrocatalytic HER/OER/ORR, alkali-ion batteries, and supercapacitors are thoroughly investigated. Finally, the various applications of MOF@Metal-Sulfide composites are discussed, including environmental cleanup, energy storage, electrocatalysis, gas detection, and electromagnetic wave absorption. This assessment is intended to help guide the development of next-generation multifunctional materials for sustainable energy and environmental technologies.