SE989: Electronic, ionic, and dual conducting frameworks for energy technologies

Owing to their diverse potential applications in advanced electronics and energy technologies, electrically and ionic conducting metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as highly coveted functional materials. Despite remarkable advances in porous framework materials over the past two decades, developing charge-transporting frameworks with adequate electronic and/or ionic conductivity remains a critical challenge because, in order to display these desired properties, these materials must possess adequate charge-carrier density and efficient charge-transport pathways. Redox-active components supply charge-carriers, but these porous materials often lack efficient long-range charge transport pathways, causing poor conductivity. Although hexagonal 2D MOFs usually display impressive electrical conductivity due to their simultaneous in-plane (through bonds) and out-of-plane (through π-stacked ligands) charge transport capabilities, the large disparities between these two orthogonal conduction pathways dampen their bulk conductivity. Furthermore, mixed ionic–electronic conducting (MIEC) materials that can simultaneously foster both electronic and ionic conduction have emerged as a vital component of energy storage and electrochemical technologies. However, nearly all conductive frameworks exhibit one or the other, not both simultaneously, as they often fail to satisfy the dueling criteria of the two disparate conduction phenomena.In this talk, I will present our work on electrically, ionic, and mixed ionic–electronic conductive frameworks, highlighting innovative design strategies that combine orthogonal through-bond and through-space charge transport to enhance their bulk electrical conductivity.1-4 In addition, I will illustrate how ionic conducting, but modestly electrically conductive MOFs can be transformed into novel MIEC composite materials by integrating them with highly electrically conductive carbon nanotubes and demonstrate their stellar potential as fast-charging, high-performance lithium-ion battery electrodes.5 Finally, I will show how a new ionic conducting COF can operate as a solid-state electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery,6 showcasing diverse potentials of electronic, ionic, and dual conducting frameworks in clean energy transport and storage technologies.