Ion channel-gated covalent organic framework membrane for sustainable lithium–sulfur batteries
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold promise as a compelling alternative to current state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, low cost and the natural abundance of sulfur. However, the practical realization of Li-S batteries has been plagued by the longstanding trade-off issue between polysulfide shuttle suppression and Li⁺ transport. Here, we report an ion channel-gated covalent organic framework (COF) as an ionic diode membrane strategy to address this conflicting requirement. By tuning the chemical structure of tethered anions, the resulting COF features 1D anionic channels with optimized charge delocalization and pore size. The bulky anions enhance Li⁺ dissociation and conduction while effectively repelling polysulfides dissolved from S cathodes. Additionally, the COF ionic diode mitigates self-discharge and inhibits parasitic reactions. Consequently, Li-S cells assembled with the COF ionic diode improve charge/discharge capacities and cycle life under constrained operating conditions.
Authors
- Sang‐Young Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7153-0517)
- Jong‐Beom Baek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4785-2326)
- Zhongping Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0146-5526)
- Kun Ryu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6978-3553)
- Kyeongseok Oh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5166-3793)
- Dong‐Hwa Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7200-7186)
- Jeong‐Min Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5645-519X)
- Sodam Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3801-8527)
- Xiaoming Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5736-7282)
- Changqing Li
- Jae‐Seung Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3052-6444)
- Hyunseok Moon
- Yuxin Hou
Institutions
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KR)
- Yonsei University (KR)
- Jilin University (CN)
- University of Chicago (US)
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering (AU)
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- National Science Review
- Published
- 2025-05-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf193
- Citations
- 14
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 10.23
Funders
- National Research Foundation
- Yonsei University
- Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information
- National Research Foundation of Korea
- National Research Council of Science and Technology