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Advanced Energy and Decarbonisation Office (AEDO)

Free Standing MOF Derived Hybrid Porous Carbon Nanofiber Mats

1 October 2026

Affiliation

A*STAR

Focus topic

Energy Storage

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Summary

This patent discloses a method for producing free-standing hybrid porous carbon nanofiber mats derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The technology integrates metal-containing MOF nanocrystals within electrospun polymer nanofibers, followed by thermal conversion to create a self-supporting conductive porous carbon network embedded with uniformly dispersed metal or metal-compound nanoparticles. The resulting material combines high surface area, hierarchical porosity, electrical conductivity, and mechanical flexibility in a single binder-free structure. The invention is particularly suited for use as high-performance electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and other electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems.

Key Achievements:

  1. Developed a binder-free, free-standing electrode architecture, eliminating the need for additional conductive additives and binders

  2. Uses MOF-derived nanostructures to create highly porous carbon frameworks with uniformly distributed active nanoparticles

  3. Combines high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and efficient ion transport pathways, improving electrochemical performance

  4. Enhances electrode mechanical integrity and flexibility while maintaining high active material loading

  5. Applicable across multiple energy technologies, including batteries, supercapacitors, and catalytic systems

  6. Provides a scalable route to advanced nanostructured carbon materials for next-generation energy storage devices

What are the key features of this technology?

Integrates MOF nanocrystals within electrospun nanofibers to create a free-standing, binder-free porous carbon electrode with uniformly dispersed active nanoparticles. The architecture combines high surface area, hierarchical porosity, conductivity, and mechanical flexibility, enabling superior electrochemical performance without conductive additives or binders.

TRL Level

 1-3

Relevant for

Battery manufacturers, supercapacitor developers, fuel cell companies, energy storage system providers, electrode material suppliers, MOF and advanced nanomaterials producers, electric vehicle battery developers, and electrochemical device manufacturers seeking high-performance binder-free electrode materials.

About

ASTAR logo

Inventors: Suxi Wang, Xu Li, Andy Hor, Zhongxing Zhang, Kia Jia Benny Chew

Affiliation: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE); National University of Singapore (NUS)

Contact A*STAR for licensing opportunities and more information.

Please quote ID ref [ip2015-203] in your email.