The world is currently dealing with an energy crisis. Scientists are working hard to shift energy production away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy alternatives. At that time, the importance of batteries as the best energy storage device increased. In this case, we need to improve battery performance in terms of energy density and power density. These parameters are fully dependent on the electrochemistry and nanostructure of the battery electrodes, such as the anode, cathode, and separator etc.
Researchers are also testing various anodes, such as graphite and hard carbon, due to their low efficiency in terms of battery performance. As a result, more research into new materials for energy storage and subsequent day-to-day consumption is necessary.
Dr. Zeeshan Ali of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and his coworkers, Dr. Akif Zeb and Dr. Xiaoming Lin of South China Normal University, carried out an in-depth review of Metal Organic Framework (MOF) for use in full cell batteries i.e. sodium and lithium ion batteries etc.
![Figure 1: Applications of MOF-based materials in rechargeable batteries [1-2]](https://researchblog.nust.edu.pk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Figure-1-3-300x254.jpg)
Metal Organic Framework (MOF) could be a game changer in the creation of next-generation improved battery anodes. Such MOF-based anodes may store even sodium ion, resulting in a more cost-effective battery system as compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Dr. Zeeshan Ali and his team members suggested the optimization of synthesis protocol for MOF based derived materials to get desired mesoporous structures, controlled particle size with enhance surface area for better energy density and power density. The types of MOF derivatives are metal oxides, metal/carbon composite and metal oxide/carbon composite.
MOF-derived materials also demonstrated more potential for practical production in battery technologies when compared to pristine MOFs.
When used as components for full cells, the following considerations should be observed in the construction of MOF derivatives: (1) to obtain well-dispersed metal or metal oxide nanoparticles based on specific functioning requirements under reduction or oxidation gas atmosphere; (2) to retain carbon matrix for higher electric conductivity and larger surface area for abundant active sites as well as contacting areas between electrolytes and active substances; (3) to accurately adjust morphology and composition of resulting products by suitable temperature and hard substrates; (4) to import heteroatom through in-situ pyrolysis of organic ligands or simple chemical reactions with external sources for expansion of more functioning derivatives and improvement of electrochemical activity.
Scheme 1 summarizes the techniques and main principles for the design of MOF-based materials.
![Scheme 1 The procedures and main principles for the MOF-based material design [2-4]](https://researchblog.nust.edu.pk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scheme-1--300x167.jpg)
Finally, this review offers experience and prospects for the preparation and practical uses of MOF-based materials as cell components in high performance complete cells, offering insight on the future development of the electrochemical energy sector.
The review article was published entitled as: “Metal-organic framework-based materials for full cell systems: A review” in the highly reputed journal of Materials Chemistry C having an impact factor of 7.393 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1TC01905H).
Dr. Zeeshan Ali and his research team conduct extensive experiments on MOFs and publish their findings in the reputable journals listed below.
1. MOF-Derived AlCuSe2 Embedded in a Carbon Matrix for an Economical Anode of Lithium-Ion Battery
MOF-derived AlCuSe2 was successfully synthesized via a solvothermal approach. The anode material of the Li-ion battery attained an excellent specific capacity of 692.8 mA h g1 after 200 cycles with a capacity retention of 100%, reversibility, and rate capability during the charging and discharging process.
This study has the potential to contribute to the development of more cost-effective, stable, and superior anode materials for Li-ion batteries, which could lead to large-scale applications with high energy storage demands. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c03819
2. Trimetallic Metal-Organic Framework Nano-frame Superstructures: A Stress-Buffering Architecture Engineering of Anode Material toward Boosted Lithium Storage Performance
Ascribed to optimal compositional and structural optimization, the Fe-Co-Ni NFSs achieve exceptional electrochemical performance with superior specific capacity (1030 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), outstanding rate capacity (414 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1), and prolonged cyclability (489 mAh g−1 upon 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1).
The goal of this research is to develop a thorough protocol for high-performance MOF anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.12284.
Dr. Zeeshan Ali and his collaborators won a major national funding on MOF based project awarded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) under CPEC-CRG initiative. The project team members are Dr Tayyaba Noor, SCME (PI), Dr Zeeshan Ali, SCME (Co-PI), Dr Naseem Iqbal, USPCASE (Co-PI) and Dr Ghulam Ali, USPCASE (Co-PI). The project number is CPEC-CRG-149.
References:
1 Z. Xie, W. Xu, X. Cui and Y. Wang, Chem SusChem, 2017, 10, 1645–1663.
2 L. Zhang, H. Liu, W. Shi and P. Cheng, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2019, 388, 293–309.
3 R. C. K. Reddy, J. Lin, Y. Chen, C. Zeng, X. Lin, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2020, 420, 213434.
4 Y. Yi, W. ZhaoW. Guo, S. Dou and J. Sun, Small, 2020, 16, 1906566.
The Author is an Assistant Professor at School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He can be reached at zeeshan.ali@scme.nust.edu.pk.
Research Profile: https://bit.ly/3B5dT84
