Fabrication of Azacrown Ether-Embedded Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Cathode Performance in Aqueous Ni-Zn Batteries

AbstractCrown ethers (CEs), known for their exceptional host–guest complexation, offer potential as linkers in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for enhanced performance in catalysis and host–guest binding. However, their highly flexible conformation and low symmetry limit the diversity of CE‐derived COFs. Here, we introduce a novel C3‐symmetrical azacrown ether (ACE) building block, tris(pyrido)[18]crown‐6 (TPy18C6), for COF fabrication (ACE‐COF‐1 and ACE‐COF‐2) via reticular synthesis. This approach enables precise integration of CEs into COFs, enhancing Ni2+ ion immobilization while maintaining crystallinity. The resulting Ni2+‐doped COFs (Ni@ACE‐COF‐1 and Ni@ACE‐COF‐2) exhibit high discharge capacity (up to 1.27 mAh ⋅ cm−2 at 8 mA ⋅ cm−2) and exceptional cycling stability (>1000 cycles) as cathode materials in aqueous alkaline nickel‐zinc batteries. This study serves as an exemplar of the seamless integration of macrocyclic chemistry and reticular chemistry, laying the groundwork for extending the macrocyclic‐synthon driven strategy to a diverse array of COF building blocks, ultimately yielding advanced materials tailored for specific applications.