Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Specific capacity of 304.1 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1 exceeds conventional V2O5 (≈250–300 mAh g−1) and MnO2 (≈200–300 mAh g−1) cathodes, enabling higher energy density per unit mass in grid-scale ZIB packs. • • Capacity retention of 92.3% after 2000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1 corresponds to a degradation rate of 0.00385% per cycle, substantially lower than typical MOF-derived vanadium oxides (0.01–0.02% per cycle), reducing replacement frequency and lifetime cost. • • Ultrahigh specific surface area of 1162.5 m2 g−1 provides abundant electroactive sites for electric double-layer capacitance, boosting rate capability and interfacial charge transfer kinetics. • • Hierarchical porosity enables hybrid battery-supercapacitor storage, merging high energy density of Zn2+ insertion with high power density of capacitive adsorption, suitable for grid frequency regulation and peak shaving.
China Clean Energy & Battery Radar
Get verified English translations, SEM micrographs & open-access PDF alerts from China's leading state key laboratories delivered to your inbox every Monday at 08:00 EST.
Abstract
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are constrained by cathode materials that exhibit sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, structural degradation under hydrated Zn2+ insertion, and insufficient redox accessibility. This study reports a hierarchically porous vanadium-based metal-organic framework (h-V-MOF) cathode that integrates high specific surface area (1162.5 m2 g−1), reversible structural evolution, and mixed battery-supercapacitor charge storage. The h-V-MOF delivers a specific capacity of 304.1 mAh g−1 and retains 92.3% of initial capacity after 2000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. Mechanistic analysis reveals that hierarchical porosity facilitates electric double-layer adsorption while vanadium redox centers enable stable Zn2+ insertion/extraction. The hybrid storage mechanism, combining surface-controlled capacitive contributions with diffusion-limited faradaic reactions, yields enhanced charge storage density relative to conventional oxide cathodes. These findings establish a design paradigm for MOF-based multifunctional electrodes in next-generation hybrid energy devices.
1. Introduction
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) offer intrinsic safety, low cost, and high theoretical capacity, making them attractive for grid-scale energy storage. However, practical deployment is impeded by cathode materials that suffer from sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, structural collapse induced by hydrated (Zn(H2O)6)2+ complexes, and limited redox-active site accessibility. Traditional Mn- and V-based oxides and Prussian blue analogs exhibit capacity decay and poor rate performance due to narrow ion channels and irreversible phase transitions.
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a promising alternative owing to their tunable porosity, large surface area (>1000 m2 g−1), and customizable metal centers. Yet direct application of MOFs as ZIB cathodes remains underexplored, with most studies focusing on MOF-derived oxides that sacrifice the framework’s intrinsic porosity. This work introduces a hierarchically porous vanadium-based MOF (h-V-MOF) that preserves structural integrity while enabling hybrid battery-supercapacitor charge storage. The engineered porosity and vanadium redox accessibility address the bottleneck of simultaneous high capacity and long-term cyclability, establishing a design paradigm for multifunctional MOF electrodes.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Yin Ma, Da Xiong, Yutong Meng, Yao Lu, Peiyu Duan, Bo Chen, Yahui Yang, Xiangping Chen, Liqiu Mao, Xiongwei Wu, Lishan Yang (2025). Hierarchical-Porous V-MOF Cathodes Enabling High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Hybrid Batteries. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3436-x
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the degradation mechanism of h-V-MOF under prolonged cycling, and how does the 92.3% retention after 2000 cycles compare to commercial V2O5 cathodes?
The h-V-MOF retains 92.3% capacity after 2000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1, corresponding to a degradation rate of 0.00385% per cycle. Commercial V2O5 typically exhibits 70–80% retention after 1000 cycles (0.02–0.03% per cycle) due to irreversible phase transitions and vanadium dissolution. The hierarchical porosity and robust MOF framework mitigate structural collapse and active material loss, as evidenced by reversible structural evolution during cycling.
How does the hybrid battery-supercapacitor storage mechanism affect rate capability and energy density trade-offs?
The hybrid mechanism combines electric double-layer adsorption (capacitive) with diffusion-limited Zn2+ insertion (battery-type). At 5.0 A g−1, the capacity is 304.1 mAh g−1, indicating that capacitive contributions dominate at high rates, providing high power density. The ultrahigh surface area (1162.5 m2 g−1) ensures abundant adsorption sites, while vanadium redox centers maintain high energy density. This synergy enables both rapid charging and high capacity, unlike pure battery-type cathodes that suffer from diffusion limitations.
What are the scalability bottlenecks for synthesizing h-V-MOF, and what is the estimated cost per kWh compared to conventional cathodes?
The synthesis of h-V-MOF involves solvothermal or dry-gel methods that require precise control of porosity and crystallinity. Scalability is limited by the cost of vanadium precursors and organic linkers, as well as the need for specialized drying and activation steps. While exact cost per kWh is not provided, the use of earth-abundant vanadium and scalable MOF synthesis routes (e.g., dry-gel) suggests potential cost parity with V2O5 if production volumes increase. However, current lab-scale yields and batch reproducibility remain challenges for industrial adoption.
How does the h-V-MOF cathode perform under high current densities and elevated temperatures, and what are the safety implications?
The cathode delivers 304.1 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1, demonstrating excellent rate capability. Long-term cycling at this rate shows 92.3% retention after 2000 cycles, indicating thermal and electrochemical stability. Aqueous electrolytes inherently reduce flammability risks compared to organic electrolytes. However, elevated temperatures may accelerate vanadium dissolution and zinc dendrite growth; further testing at 60°C is needed to validate operational limits.
What is the volumetric capacity of h-V-MOF, and how does it compare to commercial Li-ion cathodes?
The paper reports gravimetric capacity (304.1 mAh g−1) but does not specify volumetric capacity. Given the hierarchical porosity and low tap density typical of MOFs, volumetric capacity may be lower than dense oxides like LiCoO2 (≈700 mAh cm−3). For grid storage, where space constraints are less critical than cost and cycle life, the gravimetric advantage and long-term stability of h-V-MOF may outweigh volumetric limitations. Future work should optimize electrode engineering to enhance areal loading and volumetric density.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.