Nanoporous Coral Cluster-Like Copper Metal-Organic Framework as an Efficient Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Graphical Exotic and unique Cu-containing metal-organic frameworks (Cu-MOF-74) materials were successfully prepared by the solvothermal method, showing outstanding lithium storage performance, which might be mainly derived from electronegative ligand with high electron delocalization and its unique porous coral cluster-like microstructural features. Owing to the rich redox functionalities and numerous pore structure, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are directly emerging as prospective electrode materials with special properties. In the present study, exotic and unique nanomaterials of copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF-74) were successfully prepared by coordination assembly of Cu (II) and 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (DHTA) through the solvothermal route and served as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries for the first time. The Cu MOF has a coral cluster-like nanoporous morphology composed of hexagonal columns with a length of 3.0 μm and a radius of 132 nm. When tested as anode, it achieved a high reversible capability of 870.3 mA h g −1 at 100 mA g −1 , remarkable rate performance (up to 1000 mA h g −1 ) and a long service life (300 cycles) in the dis-/charge process. Such outstanding properties of the MOF anode may be mainly ascribed to the conjugated ligand moiety and the particular microstructural features. The results of this study provided insights for the rational design of primitive MOFs for advanced lithium storage.