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To efficiently capture the toxic uranyl ions (UO22+), a new hierarchical micro‐macroporous metal–organic framework was prepared under template‐free conditions, featuring interconnected multi‐nanocages bearing carbonyl groups derived from a semi‐rigid ligand. The material exhibits an unusually high UO22+ sorption capacity of 562 mg g−1, which occurs in an intriguing two‐steps process, on the macropore‐based crystal surface and in the inner nanocages. Notably, the latter is attributed to the cooperative interplay of the shrinkage of the host porous framework induced by uranyl accommodation and the free carbonyl coordination sites, as shown by both single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and a red‐shift of the infrared [O=UVI=O]2+ antisymmetric vibration band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniquely structured CoS/N‐doped carbon@MoS2 (denoted as CoS/NC@MoS2) hollow spheres were successfully synthesized by using a well‐designed N‐rich Co‐metal organic framework (ZIF‐67) precursor and template. Owing to the good mechanical stability and conductivity of carbon hollow spheres, N‐doped carbon, and Co−Mo bonds, the as‐prepared CoS/NC@MoS2 composites exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance both in electrocatalytic and energy storage applications. An overpotential of 77 mV at 10 mA cm−2, and a Tafel slope of 67 mV dec−1 could be obtained in acid environment for the hydrogen evolution reaction. As an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, the as‐prepared composites exhibit good cycling stability with a high reversible specific capacity of 802.4 mA h g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 after 400 cycles and good rate capability. Time to evolve: CoS/NC@MoS2 hollow spheres show outstanding electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution properties and good cycling stability as the anode for lithium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co9S8 is considered a promising candidate as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its remarkable electrical conductivity, high theoretical capacity, and low cost. However, the practical application of Co9S8 is greatly restricted because of its poor cycling stability and rate performance, which result mainly from the large volume expansion and dissolution of the polysulfide intermediates during the charge/discharge process. In this report, Co9S8 embedded in N-rich carbon hollow spheres are successfully designed and synthesized through an in situ pyrolysis and sulfurization process, employing the well-known ZIF-67 as the precursor and ethanethiol as the sulfur source. Co9S8 nanoparticles embedded in the N-rich hollow carbon shell exhibit excellent lithium storage properties at a high charge/discharge rate. A discharge capacity of 784 mAh g−1 is obtained upon battery testing at a current density of 1 C (544 mA g−1). Even upon cycling at a current density of 4 C, the as-prepared Co9S8/N-C can still deliver a discharge capacity of 518 mAh g−1. The excellent battery performance can be attributed to the hollow structure as well as the N-rich carbon encapsulation. Moreover, this metal-organic framework sulfurization route also shows good generality for the synthesis of other metal sulfide-carbon composites such as ZnS/N-C and Cu2S/C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]