Highly Processable Covalent Organic Framework Gel Electrolyte Enabled by Side-Chain Engineering for Lithium-Ion...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possess unique properties but suffer from poor processability due to their insoluble and infusible nature.
• Improving the processability of COFs is crucial for their widespread practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a general strategy for enhancing the processability of COF materials.
• To engineer gel-state COFs with improved flexibility and machinability.

Main Methods:

• A side-chain engineering strategy was employed, utilizing large and soft branched alkyl side chains as internal plasticizers.
• Systematic investigation of the influence of side-chain length on COF gel formation.

Main Results:

• Successful construction of a gel-state COF with significantly improved processability.
• Demonstrated machinability and flexibility of the novel COF gel.
• Fabrication of gel-type electrolytes from the COF gel for lithium-ion batteries.

Conclusions:

• Side-chain engineering offers a viable route to overcome the processability limitations of COFs.
• The developed COF gel can be readily shaped into functional components for energy storage devices.
• The resulting lithium-ion batteries show high cycling stability, highlighting the potential of processable COFs.