Nanostructured Metal-Fluoropolymers: Synthesis, Fundamental Principles, and Applications in Combustion and Energy Systems -A Review

Metal-fluoropolymers present an ideal model for next-generation energy storage applications, including propulsion, nano/micro-scale functional devices, chemical synthesis, and combustion due to their ultrahigh energy density, superior reactivity, and gaseous products. Recently, various nanostructures of metal-fluoropolymers have been successfully designed and prepared through diverse advanced technologies to obtain a large reaction interface for mass and heat transfer, achieving significantly enhanced reaction kinetics and energy output performance. In this review, the most significant advancements are highlighted in nanostructured metal-fluoropolymers, categorized into 0D core–shell structure, 1D nanofiber, 2D nanofilm, 3D microsphere, and hierarchical structure, along with their fabrication technologies. Furthermore, the energy storage and release, as well as the reaction mechanism of the nanostructured metal-fluoropolymers are summarized according to the reaction kinetics. Additionally, the potential future research directions and challenges in the area of metal-fluoropolymers are discussed.