Integrated pyrazine-based porous aromatic frameworks/carbon nanotube composite as cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered intensive focus as a new generation of environmentally friendly and low-cost energy storage devices. However, the instability of the structure caused by Zn2+ insertion/extraction and slow kinetics limit its further development. Here, we proposed a rational strategy to link electroactive organic building blocks (HATN) using dual thioether bond and then in-situ polymerize it on carbon nanotube (CNT) (PAF-205/CNT). The extensive conjugated system constructed by sulfide chain and the introduction of conductive matrix can improve its conductive properties, thus increasing the utilization rate of active sites. As expected, PAF-205/CNT as the host material for zinc-ion storage shows a high initial capacity of 328.5 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1, a nearly 76.2 % capacity retention after 10,000 cycles at 20 A/g and a rate capacity of 89 mA h g−1 at 20 A/g. Furthermore, experimental analyses and theoretical calculation were performed to reveal the charge storage mechanism. Also, PAF-205/CNT cathode also shows good electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Our study provides a strategy and insight for the rational design of promising organic electroactive materials for advanced metal-ion Batteries.