Thin-film electrode based on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8 and ZIF-67) with ultra-stable performance as a lithium-ion battery anode

Thin-film electrodes were prepared using a one-step drop-casting strategy without polymer binder and carbon black. The electrodes exhibit a thin-layer structure, which is an intriguing architecture for lithium-ion battery applications. A high reversible capacity (335.3 and 311.6 mAh g⁻¹ for ZIF-8 and ZIF-67, respectively), good rate performance, and exceptionally cycling stability (about 95.5% initial capacity was retained after 100 cycles at a high current rate of 5 C) were observed in this study. Such an excellent electrochemical performance of the film electrodes is attributed to the thin-layer architecture, which provides easy access for Li⁺ ions to permeate the whole electrodes because of the shortened diffusion paths, and also to the unique property of the MOFs without the collapse of its structure.