Nanoporous Metal-Organic Framework Interphase Stabilized Ni_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ Cathode for High-Energy Lithium Batteries

Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes have been widely used in high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries, yet they often suffer from interfacial degradation, transition metal dissolution, and structural instability during prolonged cycling. Herein, we report a facile mechanical fusion strategy to construct a Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF) coating on Ni-rich NCM622 particles. The nanoporous ZIF-8 layer functions as an ionic sieve that regulates Li⁺ desolvation and promotes the formation of a stable and ionic conductive cathode-electrolyte interphase. As a result, the modified cathode delivers significantly improved electrochemical performance, achieving 92.0% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C and a rate performance of over 72.0% capacity retention at 5 C. Furthermore, when integrated into a MOF-based quasisolid-state lithium metal battery together with a UiO-66@polyvinylidene fluoride electrolyte membrane and a thin lithium anode, the system demonstrates stable long-term cycling with 80.2% capacity retention after 300 cycles. This work highlights the potential of MOF-enabled interfacial engineering for stabilizing Ni-rich cathodes and advancing high-energy-density lithium batteries.