Large-Scale Production of MOF-Derived Coatings for Functional Interlayers in High-Performance Li-S Batteries

Herein, we report a large-scale production protocol of MOF-derived (MOF: metal-organic framework) coatings for functional interlayers by retrofitting the industrialized battery manufacturing process. An electrode caster and a modified hot-rolling compressor were assembled to continuously spread the precursors and generate nanocrystals of MOF, respectively. Co nanoparticles wrapped within N-doped porous carbon (Co@NPC) are formed after calcination and serve as powerful "anchors" to greatly enhance the charge transfer kinetics and completeness of Li₂S_x → Li₂S conversion, largely improving the utilization of S. With unmodified S electrodes, the functionalized interlayer achieves a near theoretical capacity of 1618 mA h g^-1 in the first cycle at 1 C, which retains 1064 mA h g^-1 after 200 cycles; under increased S loading levels of 5.8 and 13.4 mg cm^-2, it exhibits 1010 and 710 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C, 113% and 295% those obtained by the bare counterpart. The scalable protocol of MOF and MOF-derived functionalization can be easily performed on versatile substrates and may find applications in other electrochemical materials and devices.