Trimetallic Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-Derived CoNiO₂/NiCo₂O₄/NiFe₂O₄ Hierarchical Architecture: Unveiling...

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been recognized as highly prospective anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their low cost, high capacity, and distinctive lithiation mechanisms. Nevertheless, their practical adoption is constrained by significant volume changes during lithiation/delithiation, inferior electrical conductivity, severe particle agglomeration, unsatisfactory cycling stability, and limited rate performance. In an effort to mitigate these flaws, we developed a tactic employing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) as the self-sacrificing template and tuning the Co/Fe/Ni ratio with a ZIF framework to prepare an innovative trimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived CoNiO₂/NiCo₂O₄/NiFe₂O₄ compound (CFNO422) with nano/micro hierarchical architecture. The nano/micro hierarchical structure effectively accommodates volume changes, alleviates structural stress, and offers copious active sites for lithium storage. More importantly, the synergistic interaction among multiple component oxides promotes richer redox reactions and enhances electronic conductivity. Benefiting from the structural compatibility and composition, CFNO422 delivers an outstanding reversible capacity (1301.3 mAh g^-1 up to 120 cycles at 0.2 A g^-1), enhanced rate capability (614.3 mAh g^-1 even at 2.0 A g^-1), and exceptional cycling stability (527.4 mAh g^-1 over 600 cycles at 1.0 A g^-1). This research proposes a versatile synthesis for MOF-derived polymetallic oxides as anode materials, opening a new avenue for advanced energy storage.