Advances in Porous Organic Cages for Energy Conversion and Storage

The national transition toward sustainable energy solutions necessitates the development of advanced materials and technologies for efficient energy conversion and storage.Addressing this demand requires innovative approaches to overcome existing limitations in energy systems, including the need for high-capacity storage, rapid charge transfer, and long term stability.In this context, research on innovative energy storage carriers and mass/charge transfer mechanisms has become a pivotal focus at the forefront of materials science and energy technology.Porous organic cages (POCs), a unique class of low crystalline density porous materials, have attracted significant interest due to their well-defined molecular structures, discrete nanopore cavities and high porosity.These properties make them highly effective for applications in gas adsorption/separation and catalysis.Unlike traditional extended framework materials such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) or covalent organic frameworks (COFs), POCs are discrete and solution-processable molecules that offer superior solubility and structural tunability, which can be easily designed as various functional composites, broadening their applicability in emerging energy technologies.A particularly promising avenue for POCs lies in energy conversion and storage.Recent studies have demonstrated that functionalized POCs can serve as efficient charge transport materials, facilitating electron and ion movement in energy storage applications.Despite their immense potential, several challenges must be addressed before POCs can be widely adopted in commercial energy technologies.Key challenges include improving the scalability of POC synthesis, optimizing their stability under operational conditions, and enhancing their conductivity for broader energy applications.Furthermore, fundamental research is needed to better understand the charge transport mechanisms within POC-based materials, which will be crucial for advancing their practical implementation.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the design and synthesis strategies of POCs, summarizes recent advancements in their energy-related applications, and discusses the challenges and future research directions in the field.By offering theoretical insights into the strategic development of POCs for energy conversion and storage, this work aims to drive further innovation in sustainable energy technologies, contributing to the ongoing efforts to address global energy challenges.