Design strategies for coordination polymers as electrodes and electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries

Coordination polymers (CPs) with multiple redox-active sites are highly potential candidates for rechargeable lithium batteries because of their tuneable composition and pore structure, highly ordered crystalline nature, and facile synthesis. The crystalline structures provide abundant and easily accessible redox-active sites, as well as three-dimensional (3D) channels for rapid ion transport. In this review, we summarise the design strategies for pristine CP-based materials used in rechargeable lithium batteries, including lithium ion storage and ion transport. The working mechanisms of CPs as electrodes in rechargeable lithium batteries are discussed in detail. We highlight that the improved electrochemical performance of CPs in lithium batteries is closely related to favourable working mechanisms, synergistic redox-active reactions, the addition of conductive molecules, and well-designed porous structures or morphologies. Finally, we provide our perspective on the opportunities and challenges of applying CPs to lithium-ion storage and ion transport.