Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Derived Nanostructures as Multifaceted Electrodes in Metal–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Metal‐sulfur batteries (MSBs) are considered up‐and‐coming future‐generation energy storage systems because of their prominent theoretical energy density. However, the practical applications of MSBs are still hampered by several critical challenges, i.e., the shuttle effects, sluggish redox kinetics, and low conductivity of sulfur species. Recently, benefiting from the high surface area, regulated networks, molecular/atomic‐level reactive sites, the metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs)‐derived nanostructures have emerged as efficient and durable multifaceted electrodes in MSBs. Herein, a timely review is presented on recent advancements in designing MOF‐derived electrodes, including fabricating strategies, composition management, topography control, and electrochemical performance assessment. Particularly, the inherent charge transfer, intrinsic polysulfide immobilization, and catalytic conversion on designing and engineering of MOF nanostructures for efficient MSBs are systematically discussed. In the end, the essence of how MOFs’ nanostructures influence their electrochemical properties in MSBs and conclude the future tendencies regarding the construction of MOF‐derived electrodes in MSBs is exposed. It is believed that this progress review will provide significant experimental/theoretical guidance in designing and understanding the MOF‐derived nanostructures as multifaceted electrodes, thus offering promising orientations for the future development of fast‐kinetic and robust MSBs in broad energy fields.

Flower‐like Mesoporous Carbon with Cobalt Sulfide Nanocrystalline as Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Zn‐Air Batteries

“…Additionally, as shown in Figure 5e, f, the specific capacity of mC-CoSx-50 normalized by the mass of consumed Zn anode is calculated to be 776 mA h g À 1 (corresponding to a high energy density of ~911 W h kg À 1 ), outperforming that of the reference Zn-air batteries-based on Pt/C + RuO 2 catalyst (756 mA h g À 1 ), indicating that Zn plate was utilized more effectively by the Zn-air battery with mC-CoSx-50. Co 9 S 8 @TDC 247 0.78 1.56 0.78 [19] Co/S/N-800 178 0.83 1.59 0.76 [29] Co/Co 3 O 4 @CoS-SNC 250 0.87 1.6 0.73 [30] Co/CoxSy@SNCF-800 212 0.76 1.59 0.83 [31] Figure 5g shows the discharge curves at series of current densities. Specifically, the mC-CoSx-50 cathode successfully renders the Zn-air batteries with higher output voltages, i. e., 1.29, 1.27, 1.23, and 1.17 V at current densities of 5, 10, 25, and 50 mA cm À 2 , respectively, proving the outstanding performance originated from the mC-CoSx-50 electrocatalyst.…”

“…[16] Importantly, 3D hierarchically porous carbon has attracted increasing interest owing to its remarkable chemical stability, [17] high surface area, [18] and interconnected porosity, which is beneficial for boosting mass transport as well as the air and electrolyte diffusion. [19] Therefore, metal sulfide integrated with heteroatom-doped hierarchically porous carbon is considered as an excellent catalytic material in diverse catalytic applications, [20] especially in bifunctional oxygen catalysts for Zn-air batteries. [21] While, so far, it is still a great challenge to explore facile, scalable, and controllable methods to synthesize such materials.…”

Recent Advances in ZIF‐Derived Atomic Metal–N–C Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Synthetic Strategies, Active Centers, and Stabilities

“…With the ever-growing demand for energy and the worsening of environmental problems, it is of great importance to develop clean and sustainable energy technologies, such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] During the operation of these devices, the hydrogen generally undergoes an situ analysis. Meanwhile, the ORR performance of M-N-C electrocatalysts can be facilely modified via tuning the atomic-level coordination environments as well as geometric configurations.…”

“…With the ever‐growing demand for energy and the worsening of environmental problems, it is of great importance to develop clean and sustainable energy technologies, such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). [ 1–7 ] During the operation of these devices, the hydrogen generally undergoes an oxidation reaction on the anode, while the oxygen undergoes a reduction reaction on the cathode. However, the sluggish kinetics and instability of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts, especially in the practical acidic and oxidation environments, have severely hindered their further developments.…”

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Metal-Ion Batteries: Towards Scalability

“…1): electrodes, solid-state electrolyte, separator and potentially contacts with the metallic conductivity [6][7][8][9][10]. There are many reviews covering the design [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16] fabrication, operation, limitations, and prospects of specific MOFs as individual structural elements such as cathodes and anodes [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26], electrolytes and separators [27][28][29][30]. However, the problem associated with the creation of scalable MOFs for mass (as BASF, MOF-WORX, and NuMat make [31][32][33][34]) and large-scale production with focus on energy applications has not been addressed.…”