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

Y Yumin Chen D Da Zhang Y Yang Qin C Chengmin Hu (Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials) L Ling Miao Y Yaokang Lv Z Ziyang Song L Lihua Gan M Mingxian Liu

Abstract

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 4 + accessibility of multi-two-electron nitro/thiazole sites (95.2% utilization) with a lower activation energy (25.93 vs . 35.99 kJ mol −1 of benzothiadiazole covalent organic framework).The fast octadeca-H-bonded NH 4 + coordination in nitrobenzothiadiazole units liberates a high specific capacity of 317 mAh g −1 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 −1 (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.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 17, Issue 1
Published March 07, 2026
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (9)

Y

Yumin Chen

D

Da Zhang

Y

Yang Qin

C

Chengmin Hu

Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials

L

Ling Miao

Y

Yaokang Lv

Z

Ziyang Song

L

Lihua Gan

M

Mingxian Liu