A Pyrazine-based Covalent Organic Framework as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-ion Batteries

Ke-Jun Jin; Ying-Jian Yu

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3610-0

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

A Pyrazine-based Covalent Organic Framework as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-ion Batteries

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-04-24

- A Pyrazine-based Covalent Organic Framework as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-ion Batteries
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Pages: 1-10(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  College of Physics Science and Technology, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
- Author bio：
  
  yuyingjiankmu@163.com
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3610-0
  CLC：
- Received：28 December 2025，
  
  Accepted：02 February 2026，
  
  Online First：24 April 2026，
  
  Published：2026-03
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Jin, K. J.; Yu, Y. J. A pyrazine-based covalent organic framework as a cathode material for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3610-0

Ke-Jun Jin, Ying-Jian Yu. A Pyrazine-based Covalent Organic Framework as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-ion Batteries[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10.
Jin, K. J.; Yu, Y. J. A pyrazine-based covalent organic framework as a cathode material for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3610-0 DOI：

Ke-Jun Jin, Ying-Jian Yu. A Pyrazine-based Covalent Organic Framework as a Cathode Material for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc-ion Batteries[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3610-0.

摘要

Abstract

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are safe and cost-effective

making them ideal for large-scale energy storage and wearable electronics. Nevertheless

the advancement of AZIB technology faces constraints due to limited ener

gy storage capability and degraded cyclability

primarily attributed to the absence of optimal cathode materials. In this study

two structurally similar but chemically different covalent organic framework materials (Aza-COF-1L and Aza-COF-2) were synthesized. Notably

Aza-COF-1L is easier to synthesize and features abundant pyrazine redox-active sites

a well-defined porous structure

and intrinsic stability. Consequently

Aza-COF-1L exhibited an electrochemical performance superior to that of Aza-COF-2. Aza-COF-1L achieved initial capacities of 368.58

345.96

and 327.82 mAh·g

−1

at 0.1

0.5

and 1 A·g

−1

respectively. After 800 cycles at 1 A·g

−1

Aza-COF-1L maintains a specific capacity of 136.38 mAh·g

−1

. In contrast

Aza-COF-2 exhibited an initial capacity of 117.79 mAh·g

−1

at 0.1 A·g

−1

and its capacity significantly decreased during cycling. Additionally

the contribution of the C＝N pyrazine redox site in Aza-COF-1L to battery capacity during charging and discharging was experimentally analyzed. These results provide valuable guidance for the development of high-performance organic cathode materials for use in AZIBs.

关键词

Keywords

references

Aridi, R.; Aridi, M.; Pannier, M. L.; Lemenand, T. Eco-environmental, and social impacts of producing electricity with various renewable energy sources. Energy 2025 , 20 , 135139..

Zhang, Y. H.; Han, Y.; Deng, F. J.; Zhao, T. Y.; Liu, Z.; Wang, D. X.; Luo, J. L.; Yu, Y. J. Enhancement of the performance of Ge-air batteries under high temperatures using conductive MOF-modified Ge anodes. Carbon Energy 2024 , 6 , e580..

Ashrafuzzaman, M.; Kalam, A.; Al-Sehemi, A. G.; Yadav, P.; Dubey, M. A review of photoanode materials, challenges, and outlook of dye-sensitized solar cells. J. Power Sources 2025 , 638 , 236636..

Zhang, P. F.; Wei, M. H.; Wang, K. L.; Wang, H. W.; Zuo, Y. Y.; Zhang, M. X. Performance optimization of zinc-air batteries via nanomaterials. Energy Storage Mater. 2025 , 75 , 104109..

Dash, M.; Dubey, A. K.; Choudhary, T.; Liu, Y.; Nanda, H. S.; Pati, S. Critical metal extraction from spent battery cathodes and anticipated developments using next generation green solvents for achieving a net-zero future. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 507 , 160324..

Jin, K. J.; Yu, Y. J. Principles, progress, and prospects of photo-rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. J. Energy Chem. 2025 , 104 , 382−396..

Zhao, Y. J.; Zheng, M. L. Battery management system for zinc-based flow batteries: a review. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev. 2025 , 215 , 115604..

Guo, X. J.; Yang, Y.; Shi, C. W.; Xu, M. J.; Liu, Y. F.; Zou, D. Q. Monitoring and control of internal temperature in power batteries: a comprehensive review. Energy Storage Mater. 2025 , 75 , 104051..

Chen, J. C.; Luo, J. L.; Xiang, Y. L.; Yu, Y. J. Light-assisted rechargeable zinc-air battery: mechanism, progress, and prospects. J. Energy Chem. 2024 , 91 , 178−193..

Li, R. S.; Zhao, W. Y.; Li, R. M.; Gan, C. L.; Chen, L.; Wang, Z. T.; Yang, X. W. Leveraging machine learning for accelerated materials innovation in lithium-ion battery: a review. J. Energy Chem. 2025 , 106 , 44−62..

Shi, H. Y.; Zhang, J. F.; Ou, L. M. A comprehensive review: evaluating emerging green leaching technologies for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 506 , 160006..

Wang, Z. Y.; Du, Z. J.; Wang, L. Q.; He, G. J.; Parkin, I. P.; Zhang, Y. F.; Yue, Y. Z. Disordered materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries: a review. Nano Energy 2024 , 121 , 109250..

Yang, M. X.; Sun, X. F.; Liu, R.; Wang, L. Z.; Zhao, F.; Mei, X. S. Predict the lifetime of lithium-ion batteries using early cycles: a review. Appl. Energy 2024 , 376 , 124171..

Hu, X. K.; Wang, Y.; Feng, X. N.; Wang, L.; Ouyang, M. G.; Zhang, Q. Thermal stability of ionic liquids for lithium-ion batteries: a review. Renew. Sust. Energy Rev. 2025 , 207 , 114949..

Zhao, Y. Y.; Han, Y.; Yu, Y. J. Design of electronic conductive covalent-organic frameworks and their opportunities in lithium batteries. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 497 , 154997..

Liu, Z.; Zhang, X. C.; Luo, J. L.; Yu, Y. J. Application of metal-organic frameworks to the anode interface in metal batteries. Chin. Chem. Lett. 2024 , 35 , 109500..

Hlaing, M. T.; Gopalakrishnan, M.; Praserthdam, S.; Liu, W. R.; Mohamad, A. A.; Rajendran, S.; In, I.; Kheawhom, S. Carbon dots as multifunctional additives in zinc-ion batteries: progress, challenges, and opportunities. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 509 , 161327..

Dong, Y.; Hu, H. L.; Li ang, P.; Xue, L. L.; Chai, X. L.; Liu, F. M.; Yu, M.; Cheng, F. Y. Dissolution, solvation and diffusion in low-temperature zinc electrolyte design. Nat. Rev. Chem. 2025 , 9 , 102−117..

Wang, Z. R.; Ni, Z. W.; Chen, J.; Dai, Y. M.; Gao, Y. S.; Zhang, Q.; Dong, F. B.; Xiong, S. L.; Zhang, C. H.; Feng, J. K. Recent progress and challenges on emerging high-entropy materials for better Zn-air and Zn-ion batteries. Energy Storage Mater. 2025 , 75 , 104064..

Zhao, Y. Y.; Feng, K. Y.; Yu, Y. J. In situ preparation of zincophilic covalent-organic frameworks with low surface work function and high rigidity to stabilize zinc metal anodes. J. Energy Chem. 2025 , 102 , 524−533..

Gupta, D.; Liu, S. L.; Zhang, R. Z.; Guo, Z. P. Future long cycling life cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries in grid-scale energy storage. Adv. Energy Mater. 2025 , 15 , 2500171..

Ye, B. G.; Wu, F.; Zhao, R.; Zhu, H. H.; Lv, M. G.; Han, X. M.; Chen, T. D.; Wang, X. R.; Bai, Y.; Wu, C. Electrolyte regulation toward cathodes with enhanced-performance in aqueous zinc ion batteries. Adv. Mater. 2025 , 37 , 2501538..

Gou, Q. Z.; Zhang, S. D.; Mei, H. P.; Liu, C.; Luo, H. R.; Wang, K. X.; Hu, Y. Z.; Song, B. Y.; Zheng, Y. J.; Qiao, M. T.; Li, M. Construction of a robust cathode protection layer inspired by the wet adhesion behavior of mussels towards high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries. J. Mater. Chem. A 2025 , 13 , 7766−7776..

Mao, J. J.; Li, X. X.; Huang, Y.; Zhu, C. Y.; Yu, F. S.; Cheng, F. Nanorod-assembled urchin-like molybdenum–manganese oxide heterostructure with enhanced oxygen vacancies as a cathode for quasi solid state zinc-ion batteries. J. Mater. Chem. A 2025 , 13 , 9222−9232..

Ye, H. J.; Zeng, X. M.; Li, X. M.; He, K.; Li, Y. S.; Yuan, Y. F. Review of ion doping and intercalation strategies for advancing manganese-based oxide cathodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Nano Energy 2025 , 136 , 110740..

Hu, X. Y.; Gao, S. Y.; Lin, T. G.; Peng, X. Y.; Huang, Y. X.; Zhang, Y. M.; Yang, X. C.; Wang, L. N.; Luo, G. F.; Wen, Z. H.; Johannessen, B.; Wang, S. C.; Wang, L. Z.; Luo, B. Iodine-doped sodium vanadate cathode for improved Zn ion diffusion kinetics. Adv. Mater. 2025 , 37 , 2416714..

Liu, H. B.; Hou, X. H.; Zhang, Q. C.; Peng, W. C.; Li, Y.; Fan, X. B. Representative by-products of aqueous zinc-vanadium batteries: origins, roles, strategies, and prospects. Adv. Energy Mater. 2025 , 15 , 2406171..

Pu, J. R.; Xue, Y. T.; Ji, Z. Y.; Cao, J. Y.; Shen, X. P.; Zhou, H. B.; Yuan, A. H.; Kong, L. R. Manganese octacyanomolybdate/carbon nanotube hybrids as novel cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 , 686 , 27−36..

Wang, D. H.; Qin, M. X.; Zhang, C. Y.; Li, M. X.; Peng, C.; Zhi, C. Y.; Li, Q.; Zhu, L. Enhancing organic cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries via nitro group modification. Chem. Sci. 2025 , 16 , 3630−3637..

Zhu, Y. C.; Dong, Y. Z.; Li, J. G.; Li, Y. B.; Fan, Q. H.; Kuang, Q.; Zhao, Y. M. In situ electrochemical activation strategy toward organic cation preintercalated layered vanadium-based oxide cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2025 , 17 , 16791−16801..

Sajid, M.; Rahman, S. U.; Munsif, S.; Tao, F. Y.; Ali, U.; Ali, N.; Zhang, J. P. Carbonyl-enriched sulfide linked conjugated polymer as a cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries. J. Energy Storage 2025 , 112 , 115512..

Guo, D.; Fan, Y.; Yang, Q.; Song, M. Z.; Zhang, F. Y.; Liu, J.; Zhu, Z. W.; Zhang, H. F. Oxygen-deficient organic/inorganic VO x -PPy cathode composites: enabling prolonged lifespan of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 507 , 160745..

Gao, X. Y.; Wang, Y. W.; Xiao, Y. G.; Pan, R. N.; Liu, C. X.; Gong, Q.; Xu, K. G.; Xie, H. J.; Wang, G.; Ren, Y. C.; Gu, T. T. A new polymer with rich carbonyl delocalized π-conjugated structure for high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 , 685 , 604−614..

Liu, S.; Sun, Z. W.; Li, B. G.; Liu, X. J.; Xue, C. G. Innovative cobalt manganese-based Prussian blue analogue/polyaniline cathode materials with double layered hollow nanocube structure for high performance aqueous zinc ion battery. J. Energy Storage 2025 , 111 , 115310..

Lai, X. J.; Li, Y. H.; Niu, J. F.; Li, J. T.; Cao, Y. H.; Liu, S. L.; Wang, C. Simultaneous electrodeposition of vanadium oxide and polyaniline derivatives and its application in aqueous zinc ion storage. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 509 , 161447..

Su, L. X.; Yang, B. Z.; Chen, X. J.; Lu, Y. W.; Zhang, H. M.; Jiang, Q. Y.; Liu, Q. An organic cathode integrating carbonyl and imino groups for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion battery with air self-charging ability. J. Energy Storage 2024 , 100 , 113680..

Zhou, W. B.; Yuan, S. B.; Ding, W. M.; Cao, Y.; Yang, Y.; He, Y.; Yang, Y. Q.; Li, X. M.; Luo, M. Organic-inorganic hybrids cathode with hydrogen bonding network for highly efficient zinc-ion batteries. J. Energy Storage 2025 , 104 , 114448..

Zhan, S.; Wang, C. F.; Zhong, L. H.; Zhao, L. W.; Yang, X. D.; Guo, A. X. Y.; Xiong, W.; Cheng, L. J.; Li, R.; Tang, Z. J.; Cao, S. C.; Zhi, C. Y.; Lv, H. M. Insight into anionic discrepancies in bipolar poly(thionine) organic cathodes for aqueous zinc ion batteries. Small 2024 , 20 , 2402767..

Du, D. W.; Zhou, J. Y.; Yin, Z. L.; Feng, G. Z.; Ji, W. X.; Huang, H.; Pang, S. P. High-voltage recyclable organic cathode enabled by heteroatomic substitution for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Adv. Energy Mater. 2024 , 14 , 2400580..

Wang, C. D.; Li, Y. F.; Zhang, S. D.; Sang, T. Y.; Lei, Y.; Liu, R. Q.; Wan , F.; Chen, Y. J.; Chen, W. G.; Zheng, Y. J.; Sun, S. H. Organic cation-supported layered vanadate cathode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Carbon Energy 2025 , 7 , e647..

Zhang, C. H.; Li, F. K.; Gu, T. T.; Song, X.; Yuan, J. J.; Ouyang, L. Z.; Zhu, M.; Liu, J. Covalent organic frameworks for high-performance rechargeable lithium metal batteries: strategy, mechanism, and application. Prog. Mater. Sci. 2025 , 152 , 101455..

Lu, X. M.; Aslam, J.; Waseem, M. A.; Zhang, Y. F.; Sun, W. W.; Wang, Y. Harnessing interfacial engineering in covalent organic frameworks for lithium metal batteries. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2025 , 535 , 216604..

Yin, L. Y.; Guo, X. Y.; Hu, J. F.; Yan, K. M.; Liu, L.; Shi, X. Y.; Cui, F. C.; Zhu, G. S.; Zhang, N. Strategic nitrogen site alignment in covalent organic frameworks for enhanced performance in aqueous zinc-iodide batteries. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025 , 64 , e202423265..

Yi, P. S.; Li, Z. H.; Ma, L. L.; Feng, B. J.; Liu, Z.; Liu, Y. S.; Lu, W. Y.; Cao, S. C.; Fang, H. Y.; Ye, M. X.; Shen, J. F. Eco-friendly high-performance symmetric all-COF/graphene aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Adv. Mater. 2024 , 36 , 241 4379..

Zhao, Y. Y.; Yang, C. T.; Yu, Y. J. A review on covalent organic frameworks for rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. Chin. Chem. Lett. 2024 , 35 , 108865..

Zheng, H.; Yan, W.; Zhang, J. J. Porous organic framework-based materials (MOFs, COFs and HOFs) for lithium-/sodium-/potassium-/zinc-/aluminum-/calcium-ion batteries: a review. Electrochem. Energy Rev. 2025 , 8 , 3..

Xu, J.; Yang, Y. T.; Dai, Q. Y.; Zheng, Z. Y.; Cao, Y. J.; Cheng, Y. W.; Peng, B.; Ma, L. B.; Wang, Y. G. Towards ultra-stable wide-temperature zinc-ion batteries by using ion-sieving organic framework membrane. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025 , 64 , e202423118..

Du, J. Y.; Zhan, X.; Xu, Y. H.; Zhang, D. H.; Qin, S. H. Heat-resistant covalent organic framework (COF) PVA-hybridized gel electrolyte for the preparation of dendrite-free zinc-ion batteries. Nano Lett. 2024 , 24 , 13592−13599..

Lu, H.; Meng, S.; He, T.; Zhang, C.; Yang, J. H. Recent progress in covalent organic frameworks for rechargeable zinc-based batteries. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2024 , 514 , 215910..

Kim, S.; Choi, H. C. Light-promoted synthesis of highly-conjugated crystalline covalent organic framework. Commun. Chem. 2019 , 2 , 60..

Meng, Z.; Aykanat, A.; Mirica, K. A. Proton conduction in 2D Aza-fused covalent organic frameworks. Chem. Mater. 2019 , 31 , 819−825..

Ma, D. X.; Zhao, H. M.; Cao, F.; Zhao, H. H.; Li, J. X.; Wang, L.; Liu, K. A carbonyl-rich covalent organic framework as a high-performance cathode material for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries. Chem. Sci. 2022 , 13 , 2385−2390..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

Toward High-crystalline Covalent Organic Framework via Dynamic Condensation of Carbon-Carbon Double Bond

Covalent Organic Frameworks Modified Composite Proton Exchange Membranes towards Advanced Fuel Cells

Topologically Isomeric Effects on the Photocatalytic H₂O₂ Production Performance of Two-dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent Organic Framework/Carbon Nanotube Composites for Enhanced Lithium-ion Battery Performance

Research Progress in the Fabrication of Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Chemical Separations

Related Author

Fan Zhang

Kui Yang

Jian-Neng Li

Bai Xue

Zi-Xing Zhang

Yi-Meng Han

Miao-Han Ban

Jin-Lun Wu

Related Institution

Yunnan Advanced Elastomer Industry Innovation Research Institute Co., Ltd.

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Xi’an Jiaotong University

The Northwest Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center for Nano Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University and Shaanxi Joint Laboratory of Graphene (NPU), Shaanxi Laboratory of Advanced Materials

⁰