Unraveling MOF growth in colloids with controllable dual-doping through ultrafast sintering for wide temperature range LIBs

Abstract

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer versatile building blocks for high-performance materials across practical applications. Crystallization studies reveal MOF complex pathways crucial for biological and synthetic systems, yet understanding remains incomplete. Here, we employ in-situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) to scrutinize the growth dynamics of ZIF-8 in colloidal environments, aiming to deepen our comprehension of MOF crystallization. This study employs in-situ LPTEM to investigate ZIF-8 nanoparticle growth, revealing the combination of classical and non-classical nucleation processes in the same batch leading a challenge to control nanoparticle morphology and size, while heterogeneous nucleation is dominant giving monodispersed nanoparticle at the presence of ZIF-8 seeds in mother solution. Additionally, integrating MOF-derived carbon materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) faces challenges in achieving high-performance, controllable N-doping and long-term stability. Ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS) is utilized to carbonize ZIF-8, regulating N-doping hard carbon with Zn single atoms doping. Results show optimal morphology at 800 °C for 20 s, yielding higher concentration of Zn-doping, higher N-doping levels, and good conductivity compared to conventional sintering in tube furnace. LIB tests demonstrate exceptional cycling performance and stability across wide temperatures. This UHS strategy for ZIF-8 contributes to establishing a balance between Zn-N-doping and the degree of graphitization, thus providing an interdisciplinary approach that offers efficient MOF derivative synthesis for promising wide temperature range applications of LIBs. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.