High-Voltage-Tolerant Covalent Organic Framework Electrolyte with Holistically Oriented Channels for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries with Nickel-Rich Cathodes

By introducing lithiophilic groups and electrochemically stable quinolyl aromatic ring linkages, we prepared covalent organic frameworks (COFs) exhibiting a large band gap with an ultralow HOMO value (-6.2 eV under vacuum) and oxidative stability up to 5.6 V (versus Li+/Li) as solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). The obtained flexible COF SSE thin films showed a holistically oriented arrangement along the (001) facet with remarkable ionic conductivity up to 1.5x10(-4) S cm(-1) at 60 degrees C and excellent mechanical strength with a high Young's modulus of 10.5 GPa. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that lithium ions are transmitted in this COF SSE by directional hopping paths with fast drift velocity. The COF SSE film was used to assemble all-solid-state lithium metal batteries with nickel-rich cathodes (NMC811). The batteries demonstrated stable cycling performance over 400 cycles, high coulombic efficiency (>99 %), and could also withstand abuse tests, such as folding.

Automated summary

By introducing lithiophilic groups and stable molecular structures, COFs with high band gap, ultra-low HOMO value, and oxidative stability were prepared as solid-state electrolytes, presenting excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical strength in thin films. Molecular dynamic simulations and all-solid-state lithium metal battery tests with NMC811 cathodes demonstrated outstanding electrochemical properties and stability of the COF solid-state electrolytes.