Multi-electron nitrobenzothiadiazole sp-conjugated-alkynyl covalent organic frameworks for ammonium-ion batteries.

Chen, Yumin; Zhang, Da; Qin, Yang; Hu, Chengmin; Miao, Ling; Lv, Yaokang; Song, Ziyang; Gan, Lihua et al. · Nat Commun · 2026

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks containing periodic redox-active motifs and conjugation structures are booming as competitive negative electrodes for ammonium-ion batteries. Introducing substantial single-electron active motifs linked by dynamic imine bonds can increase their capacity; however, this design is constrained by suboptimal single-electron redox efficiency and insufficient linkage stability. Here we unlock a multiple two-electron-transfer nitrobenzothiadiazole covalent organic framework via integrating alkynyl benzenes and nitro-functionalized four-electron benzothiadiazoles. The high degree of π-electron sp-conjugation along alkynyl linkages and strong electron-drawing effect of nitrobenzothiadiazole motifs in nitrobenzothiadiazole covalent organic framework promise high NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> accessibility of multi-two-electron nitro/thiazole sites (95.2% utilization) with a lower activation energy (25.93 vs. 35.99 kJ mol<sup>-1</sup> of benzothiadiazole covalent organic framework).The fast octadeca-H-bonded NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> coordination in nitrobenzothiadiazole units liberates a high specific capacity of 317 mAh g<sup>-1</sup> for nitrobenzothiadiazole covalent organic framework negative electrode. The alkynyl-bridged π-conjugation network establishes structural anti-dissolution to enable a cycling durability of 70,000 cycles. Paired with high-voltage Prussian blue analogue positive electrode, the ammonium-ion full battery delivers a specific energy of 86.1 Wh kg<sup>-1</sup> (based on total active material mass) and a lifespan of 25,000 cycles. This work extends the design landscape of high-performance covalent organic frameworks for advanced ammonium-ion batteries.