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Newly Developed COF Material Significantly Improves Li-S Battery Performance
Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Technical University of Berlin have developed a new material called radical cationic covalent organic frameworks (COFs), specifically tailored for the catalysis of sulfur reduction reactions in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. This development is a significant step forward in improving the performance and durability of Li-S batteries.
The newly developed COF material, called R-TTF-COF, is based on polymers that form an open-pored scaffold. It consists of tetrathiafulvalene units (TTF) and trisulfide radical anions (S) connected via benzothiazole. The unpaired electrons in the micro/mesopores of the R-TTF-COF material contribute to delocalized π orbitals, facilitating charge transfer between layers and improving catalytic properties.
Experimental analyses of the R-TTF-COF material were conducted using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (ssNMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Some of these analyses were carried out at the BAMline at BESSY II. In-situ X-ray tomography at the same facility was used to characterize the pores inside the R-TTF-COF material more precisely.
The use of the R-TTF-COF material in Li-S batteries results in a significant improvement in performance. The lifespan of Li-S batteries is increased to over 1,500 cycles with a capacity loss of only 0.027% per cycle. This durability has not been achieved with COF materials or other purely organic catalysts so far.
The team, led by Prof. Yan Lu (HZB) and Prof. Arne Thomas (Technical University of Berlin), has clarified the central role of radical motifs in the catalysis of sulfur reduction reactions within the R-TTF-COF material. The R-TTF-COF material also increases both the catalytic activity and the electrical conductivity of the COF, making it suitable for applications in electrochemical energy storage, particularly in the electrodes of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Theoretical calculations were combined with experimental results to interpret the findings. Integrating radical-cage structures into lithium-sulfur batteries, such as the R-TTF-COF material, is very promising. Research into COFs with stable radical building blocks specifically tailored for the catalysis of sulfur reduction reactions will remain a fertile field of study.
This development promises to advance the field of electrochemical energy storage, particularly in the realm of lithium-sulfur batteries. With the R-TTF-COF material, researchers have taken a significant step towards improving the performance and durability of these batteries, making them a more viable option for future energy storage needs.
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