Anode-Protective Covalent Organic Framework Layer with Synergistic Cation–Anion Regulation for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Shuang Zheng - , CAS - Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (Author)
  • Yubin Fu - , Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (cfaed), Southeast University, Nanjing (Author)
  • Cheng Song - , Shanghai University (Author)
  • Chunlei Wang - , Shanghai University (Author)
  • Yang Wu - , Shanghai University (Author)
  • Shenggang Li - , CAS - Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (Author)
  • Qing Xu - , CAS - Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (Author)
  • Joseph S. Francisco - , University of Pennsylvania (Author)
  • Gaofeng Zeng - , CAS - Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (Author)

Abstract

Lithium (Li) dendrite formation in Li metal batteries intrinsically challenges Coulombic efficiency (CE) and safety. While constructing an anode protective layer offers a potential solution for dendrite suppression, existing approaches are limited by insufficient molecular-level control over both Li+and anion dynamics simultaneously. Herein, we construct a binary cooperative magnesium porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (Mg-Por-COF) protective layer designed for synergetic cation–anion regulation at the anode–electrolyte interface. This design spatially separates lithiophilic and anionophilic sites within the pore walls and framework. Specifically, Mg-Por-COF promotes Li+desolvation through strong interactions and immobilizes TFSIanions via Mg2+coordination. This dual action prevents space charge accumulation caused by local anion depletion, enabling smooth and compact Li deposition, even under a demanding areal current of 10 mA cm–2. Consequently, the Li/Mg-Por-COF-Cu cell achieves an extended cycle life of 400 cycles with a high average CE of 98.3%, outperforming the bare Cu counterpart by ∼400%. Furthermore, the LiFePO4/Mg-Por-COF-Li full cell demonstrates remarkable cycling stability with an average CE of 99.1% over 324 cycles. Simulations corroborate the dual role of Mg-Por-COF in modulating Li+transport and immobilizing TFSIanions, providing unique atomic control for Li uniform deposition. These findings highlight the potential of structurally designed COFs as superior protective layers for high-performance energy storage, offering high chemical designability and sustainability.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31249-31259
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume147
Issue number34
Publication statusPublished - 27 Aug 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 40802471