Engineering Two-Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework on Molecular Basis for Fast Li+ Conduction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been proposed as emerging fillers for composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). However, MOF particles are usually served as passive fillers that yield limited ionic conductivity improvement. Building continuous MOF reinforcements and exploiting their active roles remain challenging. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of engineering fast Li+ conduction within MOF on molecule conception. Two-dimensional Cu(BDC) MOF is selected as an active filler due to its sufficient accessible open metal sites for perchlorate anion anchoring to release free Li+, verified by theoretical calculations and measurements. A novel Cu(BDC)-scaffold-reinforced CPE is developed via in situ growth of MOF, which provides fast Li+ channels inside MOF and continuous Li+ paths along the MOF/polymer interface for high Li+ conductivity (ambient 0.24 mS cm-1) and enables high mechanical strength. Stable cycling is achieved in solid-state Li-NCM811 full cell using the MOF-reinforced CPE. This molecule-basis Li+ conduction strategy brings new ideas for designing advanced CPEs.