CiQUS researchers report a metal-organic material with mixed conductivity that paves the way for more efficient batteries

A research group from the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), a centre that is part of the CIGUS Network, an initiative promoted by the Xunta de Galicia that brings together centres in the system that have accredited their scientific excellence, has developed a metal-organic material (MOF) that can conduct both electrons and protons simultaneously, opening up new possibilities for improving the efficiency of batteries and other energy storage devices. The team, in collaboration with researchers from various institutions such as MIT and the University of Aveiro, has focused its efforts on designing materials with specific physical properties such as conductivity, as well as electrochemical, optical, and magnetic characteristics.

MOFs, porous and crystalline materials, are highly versatile and have applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, and electronics. However, most of these materials do not conduct electricity, which limits their use in devices such as batteries. Through this breakthrough, the team has successfully combined electronic and ionic conductivity in a single material, which is crucial for the development of more efficient energy storage electrodes.

The next step in this research is the development of a new family of MOF materials that present higher energy storage capacities and improved electrochemical performance. Additionally, the group is committed to sustainability, seeking alternatives to materials such as cobalt in lithium batteries by using more abundant and environmentally friendly components.