Transformative progress in MOF-based hybrid materials for supercapacitors and gas sensors: multifunctional platforms for sustainable technologies

The transition to clean and sustainable energy systems is critical for addressing global environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and climate change. In this context, supercapacitors for energy storage and gas sensors for environmental monitoring have emerged as key technologies for promoting energy and ecological sustainability. Advancements in materials science have enabled the development of multifunctional platforms, with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) standing out due to their high surface area, tunable porosity, well-defined structures and abundant active sites. These properties make MOFs highly suitable for both supercapacitor and gas sensing applications. Recent advances include the development of both pristine MOF-based materials and their composites with conductive polymers, carbonaceous materials, and metal oxides, aimed at enhancing electrical conductivity, stability and sensitivity. These hybrid systems have led to significant improvements in capacitive performance and gas-sensing selectivity. Despite these advancements, a comprehensive review that addresses the dual application of MOFs and their composites in chemiresistive gas sensors and supercapacitors remains limited. This article bridges that gap by presenting a unified overview of recent progress and examining how material structure influences device functionality. It also outlines current challenges and future opportunities for implementing MOF-based smart materials in sustainable technologies aligned with global development goals.