Ferrocene-Based Mixed-Valence Metal–Organic Framework as an Efficient and Stable Cathode for Lithium-Ion-Based Dual-Ion Battery

Organic anion-hosting cathodes are remarkably attractive platform candidates for lithium-ion-based dual-ion batteries (LDIBs) due to their various advantages such as variety, designable, and adjustable. Here, a new organic anion-hosting mixed-valence metal–organic framework cathode (Co2IICoIII(DFc)2(OH)3·H2O, abbreviated as Co(DFc)x) is first employed in LDIBs. With the redox reactions happening in the couples of Fe2+/Fe3+ and Co2+/Co3+, PF6– anions can be incorporated into the cathode and reversibly released into the LiPF6-based electrolyte. Meanwhile, benefiting from its unique structure and insolubility, Co(DFc)x shows a high energy density of 632 Wh kg–1 (vs lithium anode), a high operating potential of 3.63 V (vs Li+/Li), a high reversible (discharge) capacity of 170 mAh g–1 at 50 mA g–1 (the third cycle), an excellent rate performance (up to 2000 mA g–1, 5 min for one cycle), and extraordinary cycling stability (an average capacity of 74.9 mAh g–1 for 8000 cycles at 2000 mA g–1).