Overview
- KAIST announced the work Thursday, presenting a peer-reviewed Chem paper that reports a two-dimensional conductive MOF electrode, Cu3(HHTATP)2, engineered to store zinc ions first and protons later.
- The team added amine groups inside the MOF pores to hold off proton uptake until a lower voltage, which prevents proton-driven surface byproducts from obstructing slower-moving Zn2+ ions.
- Laboratory tests showed a capacity of 368.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹, 46.9% capacity retention when the charge–discharge rate was increased sixteenfold, and stable operation through more than 500 rapid cycles.
- X-ray analyses confirmed the sequential Zn2+ then H+ storage and reversible proton participation, demonstrating the intended mechanism rather than an incidental side reaction.
- Researchers stress this is a materials-level proof of concept rather than a commercial battery and say further work is needed on full-cell demonstrations, broader material tests, scale-up, and long-term durability before practical deployment in grid storage.