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Metal-Covalent Organic Frameworks: Design Strategy, Structure Feature, and Applications in Energy Storage

Lianchao Wang

Lianchao Wang

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 P.R. China

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Ruiying Fu

Ruiying Fu

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 P.R. China

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Chao Li

Corresponding Author

Chao Li

School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, 644000 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Xutian Yang

Xutian Yang

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 P.R. China

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Cheng Zhang

Corresponding Author

Cheng Zhang

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Mingjun Ouyang

Mingjun Ouyang

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 P.R. China

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Prof. Dr. Kuaibing Wang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Kuaibing Wang

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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Prof. Dr. Qichun Zhang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Qichun Zhang

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Center of Super Diamond & Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077 P.R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 18 July 2025

Graphical Abstract

This review comprehensively summarizes the synthesis strategies, structural characteristics, and structural regulation strategies of metal-covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs), as well as their electrochemical energy storage performance in various energy storage devices (LIBs, LMBs, ZABs, Li–CO2 batteries, LSBs, ZIBs, and SCs).

Abstract

Metal-covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs), which can integrate the properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), exhibit high stability, adjustable pore structures, and catalytic activity of metal sites owing to the synergistic interaction between metal sites and covalent backbones. In this regard, MCOFs have gained significant attention as promising electrode materials, where metal ions (Mn+) function as molecular structure switches, providing MCOFs with diverse active sites and modifying their charge density by incorporating different Mn+, thereby imparting unique energy-storage properties to MCOFs. Furthermore, by optimizing the synthesis strategies of MCOFs, their topological and dimensional structures can be regulated to ensure the stability of the MCOFs. In the challenging landscape of energy storage, MCOFs have surpassed the performance limitations of traditional COFs. Through precise atomic-level control of metal sites and innovative design of dynamic covalent chemistry, they can significantly enhance the performance of batteries, achieving remarkable performance in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), lithium–sulfur batteries, and other applications. This review systematically summarizes the research advancements of MCOFs in high-performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion, Li–CO2, and Zn-ion batteries. In addition, it examines the synthesis strategies, structural regulation, and structural characteristics of MCOFs to address the challenges encountered in various energy storage devices.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

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