Autogenous Production and Stabilization of Highly Loaded Sub‐Nanometric Particles within Multishell Hollow Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Utilization for High Performance in Li–O2 Batteries

Abstract Sub‐nanometric particles (SNPs) of atomic cluster sizes have shown great promise in many fields such as full atom‐to‐atom utilization, but their precise production and stabilization at high mass loadings remain a great challenge. As a solution to overcome this challenge, a strategy allowing...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Won Ho Choi, Byeong Cheul Moon, Dong Gyu Park, Jae Won Choi, Keon‐Han Kim, Jae‐Sun Shin, Min Gyu Kim, Kyung Min Choi, Jeung Ku Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-05-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202000283
Description
Summary:Abstract Sub‐nanometric particles (SNPs) of atomic cluster sizes have shown great promise in many fields such as full atom‐to‐atom utilization, but their precise production and stabilization at high mass loadings remain a great challenge. As a solution to overcome this challenge, a strategy allowing synthesis and preservation of SNPs at high mass loadings within multishell hollow metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is demonstrated. First, alternating water‐decomposable and water‐stable MOFs are stacked in succession to build multilayer MOFs. Next, using controlled hydrogen bonding affinity, isolated water molecules are selectively sieved through the hydrophobic nanocages of water‐stable MOFs and transferred one by one to water‐decomposable MOFs. The transmission of water molecules via controlled hydrogen bonding affinity through the water‐stable MOF layers is a key step to realize SNPs from various types of alternating water‐decomposable and water‐stable layers. This process transforms multilayer MOFs into SNP‐embedded multishell hollow MOFs. Additionally, the multishell stabilizes SNPs by π‐backbonding allowing high conductivity to be achieved via the hopping mechanism, and hollow interspaces minimize transport resistance. These features, as demonstrated using SNP‐embedded multishell hollow MOFs with up to five shells, lead to high electrochemical performances including high volumetric capacities and low overpotentials in Li–O2 batteries.
ISSN:2198-3844