Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• MOFs and their derivatives offer high surface area, tunable porosity, and customizable functional sites, making them promising electrode materials for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs). • MOF-derived carbons enhance charge storage and ion transport due to their exceptional conductivity and large surface area, improving LIC performance. • MOF-derived transition metal oxides provide high specific capacities and improved electrochemical stability, addressing capacity mismatch in LICs. • Combining MOF-derived metal compounds with carbon yields synergistic effects that boost both capacitive and Faradaic reactions, leading to superior overall LIC performance.
Abstract
There is an urgent need for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) that have both high energy and high power densities to meet the continuously growing energy storage demands. LICs effectively balance the high energy density of traditional rechargeable batteries with the superior power density and long life of supercapacitors (SCs). Nevertheless, the development of LICs is still hampered by limited kinetic processes and capacity mismatch between the cathode and anode. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have received significant attention because of their extensive specific surface area, different pore structures and topologies, and customizable functional sites, making them compelling candidate materials for achieving high-performance LICs. MOF-derived carbons, known for their exceptional electronic conductivity and large surface area, provide improved charge storage and rapid ion transport. MOF-derived transition metal oxides contribute to high specific capacities and improved electrochemical stability. Additionally, MOF-derived metal compounds/carbons provide combined effects that increase both the capacitive and Faradaic reactions, leading to a superior overall performance. The review begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of LICs, followed by an exploration of synthesis strategies and ligand selection for MOF-based composite materials. It then analyzes the advantages of original MOFs and their derived materials, such as carbon materials and metal compounds, in enhancing LIC performance. Finally, the review discusses the major challenges faced by MOFs and their derivatives in LIC applications and offers future research directions and recommendations.
1. Introduction
In the past few years, the increasing employment of electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronic devices has underscored the significance of electrochemical energy storage technology in everyday life. Among the variety of energy storage options, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs) have emerged as prominent commercial energy storage devices. However, neither of them fully meets the requirements for high-efficiency energy storage systems. Generally, SCs exhibit substantial power density (5–10 kW kg−1) along with durable cycling stability (up to 10^5 cycles), but they have poor energy density (<10 Wh kg−1). In contrast, LIBs offer higher energy density (200 Wh kg−1) but suffer from lower power density (<1,000 W kg−1) and require enhancements in cycle stability (~1,000 cycles) and safety.
Consequently, the current solution of energy storage utilizing LIBs or SCs fails to adequately address the combined demands for energy and power in EV applications. Thus, the imperative arises to develop innovative energy storage systems capable of reconciling the strengths of both LIBs and SCs. Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) have garnered attention as a promising solution to bridge this gap. Fig. 1 illustrates the Ragone diagram, which depicts the correlation between energy density and power density across various energy storage devices. In LICs, the anode stores and releases charge through reversible intercalation and deintercalation reactions, which enables high capacity. The cathode, characterized by its electric double-layer structure, relies on ion adsorption and desorption to store and release charge, resulting in high power density. LICs encounter challenges due to differing charge storage mechanisms leading to imbalances in capacity and kinetics.
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ZHAO Sha-sha, ZHANG Xiong, LI Chen, AN Ya-bin, HU Tao, WANG Kai, SUN Xian-zhong, MA Yan-wei (2025). The application of metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives for lithium-ion capacitors. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-05-07)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) and why are they important?
Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) are hybrid energy storage devices that combine the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries with the high power density and long cycle life of supercapacitors. They are important because they can meet the growing demands for both energy and power in applications like electric vehicles and portable electronics.
How do metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives improve LIC performance?
MOFs and their derivatives offer high specific surface area, tunable pore structures, and customizable functional sites. MOF-derived carbons provide excellent conductivity and large surface area for rapid ion transport, while MOF-derived transition metal oxides contribute high specific capacities and stability. Combined materials enhance both capacitive and Faradaic reactions, leading to superior overall performance.
What are the main challenges in developing MOF-based materials for LICs?
Challenges include capacity mismatch between cathode and anode, limited kinetic processes, and the need for scalable synthesis methods. Additionally, maintaining structural stability during cycling and achieving optimal pore size distribution for ion transport are critical issues.
What future research directions are suggested for MOFs in LICs?
Future research may focus on developing novel MOF-derived materials with tailored morphologies and compositions, optimizing electrode architectures, and exploring new synthesis routes to enhance performance and scalability. Additionally, understanding the fundamental mechanisms of charge storage in MOF-based electrodes will guide further improvements.
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