Sustainable MOF-derived nanocomposites for advanced corrosion protection and mechanical performance: A comprehensive review of materials, mechanisms, and future directions

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derived nanomaterials have emerged as a versatile class of sustainable, multifunctional materials for advanced corrosion protection and mechanical reinforcement. Their tunable porosity, high surface area, and compositional flexibility enable the design of hybrid nanocomposites with enhanced barrier properties, ion-trapping capability, catalytic passivation, and strong interfacial interactions. This review critically examines recent advances in the design, synthesis, and application of MOF-derived nanocomposites, with emphasis on structure–property–performance relationships. Particular attention is given to MOF-derived carbons, metal oxides, and hybrid architectures in regulating corrosion pathways and improving mechanical integrity through load transfer, crack arrest, and interfacial strengthening. Comparative analysis, supported by tables (e.g., evolution of surface area and porosity during thermal conversion), highlights key trade-offs between porosity retention, structural stability, and functional performance. Advanced electrochemical, mechanical, and in situ characterization techniques are discussed to elucidate coating behavior under coupled stressors such as thermal cycling, UV exposure, salinity, and chemical attack. Sustainability aspects, including life-cycle considerations, green synthesis strategies, and scalability, are evaluated with a focus on practical industrial implementation. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in long-term durability, real-world validation, and large-scale manufacturing. Emerging directions, including AI-driven materials design and smart self-healing coatings, are outlined as pathways toward next-generation multifunctional systems. Overall, this review provides a unified and critical framework that distinguishes itself from existing literature by explicitly addressing structure–performance trade-offs, interfacial mechanisms, and the integration of corrosion protection with mechanical functionality in MOF-derived nanocomposites.