Special Issue on Smart Porous Materials for Future Energy: From Structural Design to Renewable Energy Conversion

Introduction:

The transition toward a carbon neutral society demands transformative solutions for energy conversion and storage. Smart porous materials — including zeolites, mesoporous materials, crystalline porous materials (metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), hydrogen bonded organic frameworks (HOFs)), porous organic polymers (POPs), and their derivative porous carbons — have emerged as uniquely powerful platforms. Their exceptional surface areas, chemically tailorable pore environments, and long range order enable precise control over molecular recognition, mass transport, and catalytic activity.

This special issue of Green Carbon focuses on the rational design of these porous architectures for future energy applications. We invite contributions that span the entire workflow: from novel topological design and scalable synthesis to in depth characterization and device integration. Particular emphasis is placed on the conversion of renewable energy sources — solar, electrical, and thermal— into usable chemical fuels or electricity, as well as advanced electrochemical storage systems.

We also welcome studies that embrace the "smart" paradigm: stimuli responsive frameworks, AI accelerated materials discovery, bioinspired hierarchical structures, and operando techniques that reveal dynamic pore behaviour under working conditions. By bridging fundamental materials chemistry with applied energy technologies, this issue aims to outline a roadmap toward low carbon, high efficiency energy systems.

Topics covered:

1. Novel Structural Design of Porous Frameworks

• 3D COFs, covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), and HOFs with enhanced stability and solution processability
• Hierarchical porosity (micro-, meso-, macro-) for multiscale mass transport
• Janus and asymmetric porous membranes
• Post-synthetic modification and defect engineering for property tuning

2. Solar Energy Conversion

• Photocatalytic water splitting and CO₂ reduction to fuels
• Photothermal storage using phase-change materials confined in porous hosts
• Artificial photosynthesis mimicking natural chlorophyll architectures

3. New Energy Batteries

• Lithium–sulfur batteries: Porous sulfur hosts (polar MOFs/POPs) for physical confinement and chemical adsorption to suppress the polysulfide shuttle effect
• Lithium–oxygen (Li–O₂) batteries: Open framework cathodes with controlled pore architecture to facilitate oxygen diffusion and accommodate discharge products
• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries: MOF/COF-based cathodes and separators for enhanced Zn²⁺ transport and dendrite-free deposition
• Solid-state batteries: MOF/COF-polymer composite electrolytes combining rigid ion-conducting channels with mechanical flexibility
• Sodium/potassium-ion batteries: Porous carbon derived from POPs for large-ion storage with high rate capability
• Redox flow batteries: MOF/COF membranes with precisely tuned pore sizes for selective ion sieving and crossover suppression

4. Electrochemical Energy Conversion

• MOF/COF-based ion-conducting membranes for fuel cells
• Electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)

5. Bioinspired Interfaces

• Bioinspired hierarchical porous structures: Drawing from plant xylem, cell membranes, or lotus leaves to design multiscale porosity for directional fluid transport and enhanced mass transfer
• Ion-selective nanochannels: Mimicking biological ion channels using COF/MOF nanochannels for osmotic energy harvesting and desalination
• Superwetting interfaces: Porous surfaces with extreme wettability (superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic) for oil–water separation, fog collection, and passive thermal management
• Self-healing porous materials: Integrating dynamic bonds into framework structures to achieve autonomous repair of mechanical or chemical damage
• Biomimetic confined catalysis: Replicating enzyme-like active sites within porous cavities for highly selective energy-relevant transformations

6. Emerging Energy Technologies

• Osmotic energy harvesting via charged porous membranes (reverse electrodialysis)
• Thermoelectric materials: nanopores for phonon scattering without compromising electron transport
• Direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂ at ultralow partial pressures (400 ppm) with green-energy-driven regeneration

7. Smart Functionalities & Advanced Characterization

• Stimuli-responsive frameworks (light, temperature, pH, or electric field)
• AI-assisted high-throughput screening and machine learning for structure-property prediction
• In situ / operando spectroscopy and microscopy to visualise pore dynamics under working conditions

8. Low-Carbon Chemical Processes

• MOF/COF membranes for hydrogen purification, natural gas upgrading (CO₂/CH₄ separation), and olefin/paraffin separations
• Confined mass transport dynamics in nanopores

Important Deadline:

Submission deadline: Feb 28, 2027

Submission Instructions:

The issue accepts articles with research articles, reviews, and perspectives. The papers included in the special issue will go through the journal’s standard peer review process. Please read the [Guide for Authors] before submitting. All articles should be [submitted online], please select [SI: Smart Porous Materials for Future Energy] on submission.

Guest Editors: