Electron-Conductive Metal-Organic Framework, Fe(Dhbq)(Dhbq=2,5-Dihydroxy-1,4-Benzoquinone): Coexistence Of Microporosity And Solid-State Redox Activity

Redox-active metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have great potential for use as cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with large capacities because the organic ligands can undergo multiple-electron redox processes. However, most MOFs are electrical insulators, limiting their application as electrode materials. Here, we report an electron-conductive MOF with a 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (dhbq) ligand, Fe(dhbq). This compound had an electrical conductivity of 5 X 10(-6) S cm(-1) at room temperature due to d-pi interactions between the Fe ion and the ligand and the permanent microporosity. Fe(dhbq) had an initial discharge capacity of 264 mA h g(-1), corresponding to the two-electron redox process of dhbq.