Polysulfide Immobilization and Sulfur Conversion Kinetics Promotion via a Tetrathiafulvalene–Crown Ether COF@Graphene Layer for High‐Rate Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

ABSTRACT The rational design of conversion‐kinetics‐promoting framework architectures offers a powerful strategy to overcome the polysulfide shuttling and sluggish conversion kinetics that limit lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, we report a new covalent organic framework, TUS‐44, constructed from tetrathiafulvalene‐based 4,4',4'',4'''‐([2,2'‐bi(1,3‐dithiolylidene)]‐4,4',5,5'‐tetrayl)tetraaniline and benzo[18]crown‐6‐derived 4,4′,4′′,4′′′‐(6,7,9,10,17,18,20,21‐octahydrodibenzo[ b , k ][1,4,7,10,13,16]hexaoxacyclooctadecine‐2,3,13,14‐tetrayl) tetrabenzaldehyde linkers. The resulting imine‐linked, π‐conjugated framework integrates heteroatom‐rich coordination sites within an electron‐delocalized π‐conjugated backbone, establishing a hierarchical, site‐specific interaction network (N > O > S) that governs Li + coordination, polysulfide anchoring, and dynamic charge redistribution. When coupled with conductive graphene to form an interfacial TUS‐44@G architecture, the hybrid layer functions as a chemisorptive, conversion‐kinetics‐promoting interface that regulates soluble polysulfides, facilitates interfacial charge‐transfer, and stabilizes intermediate species throughout cycling. This synergistic chemical–electronic coupling yields remarkable electrochemical performance: a high reversible capacity of 1455.7 mA h g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 , excellent rate capability of 773 mA h g −1 at 10 A g −1 , and outstanding durability with 0.034% capacity fading per cycle over 1000 cycles at 5 A g −1 . A Li–S pouch cell incorporating TUS‐44@G further delivers an outstanding initial energy density of ∼674 Wh kg −1 at 0.05 A g −1 (sulfur loading 44.558 mg), underscoring the practical potential of architecting conversion‐catalytic framework interfaces for high‐energy, durable Li–S batteries.

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Small
Published
2026-06-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.74240
Primary Topic
Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Polysulfide Immobilization and Sulfur Conversion Kinetics Promotion via a Tetrathiafulvalene–Crown Ether COF@Graphene Layer for High‐Rate Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Mika Nozaki, Dequan Liu, Yuichi Negishi, Kai Sun et al.
Small
Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies
article

Polysulfide Immobilization and Sulfur Conversion Kinetics Promotion via a Tetrathiafulvalene–Crown Ether COF@Graphene Layer for High‐Rate Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Mika Nozaki, Dequan Liu, Yuichi Negishi, Kai Sun, Saikat Das, Tsukasa Irie, Tokuhisa Kawawaki, Kohki Sasaki, Yujun Fu, Samim Reza, Deyan He, Ranjit Thapa
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT The rational design of conversion‐kinetics‐promoting framework architectures offers a powerful strategy to overcome the polysulfide shuttling and sluggish conversion kinetics that limit lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, we report a new covalent organic framework, TUS‐44, constructed from tetrathiafulvalene‐based 4,4',4'',4'''‐([2,2'‐bi(1,3‐dithiolylidene)]‐4,4',5,5'‐tetrayl)tetraaniline and benzo[18]crown‐6‐derived 4,4′,4′′,4′′′‐(6,7,9,10,17,18,20,21‐octahydrodibenzo[ b , k ][1,4,7,10,13,16]hexaoxacyclooctadecine‐2,3,13,14‐tetrayl) tetrabenzaldehyde linkers. The resulting imine‐linked, π‐conjugated framework integrates heteroatom‐rich coordination sites within an electron‐delocalized π‐conjugated backbone, establishing a hierarchical, site‐specific interaction network (N > O > S) that governs Li + coordination, polysulfide anchoring, and dynamic charge redistribution. When coupled with conductive graphene to form an interfacial TUS‐44@G architecture, the hybrid layer functions as a chemisorptive, conversion‐kinetics‐promoting interface that regulates soluble polysulfides, facilitates interfacial charge‐transfer, and stabilizes intermediate species throughout cycling. This synergistic chemical–electronic coupling yields remarkable electrochemical performance: a high reversible capacity of 1455.7 mA h g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 , excellent rate capability of 773 mA h g −1 at 10 A g −1 , and outstanding durability with 0.034% capacity fading per cycle over 1000 cycles at 5 A g −1 . A Li–S pouch cell incorporating TUS‐44@G further delivers an outstanding initial energy density of ∼674 Wh kg −1 at 0.05 A g −1 (sulfur loading 44.558 mg), underscoring the practical potential of architecting conversion‐catalytic framework interfaces for high‐energy, durable Li–S batteries.

Small
Tohoku University (JP), Lanzhou University of Technology (CN), SRM University (IN), Lanzhou University (CN)
Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies
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