Engineering cathodes and separators with zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-derived materials for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have garnered significant attention for their exceptionally high theoretical energy density (2600 Wh kg⁻¹) and the natural abundance of sulfur (S), positioning them as strong contenders for next-generation energy storage systems. However, their practical deployment is hindered by poor S conductivity, severe polysulfide shuttling, and lithium (Li) dendrite growth. Within the realm of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), particularly ZIF-8 and ZIF-67, stand out due to their tunable porosity, large surface area, and remarkable structural adaptability. Recent advances have demonstrated that ZIF-derived materials can effectively enhance redox kinetics, suppress polysulfide diffusion, and improve electrode stability. For instance, ZIF-67 derived Co-N-C composites have achieved high specific capacities exceeding 1300 mAh g⁻¹ and excellent cycling stability with > 90 % capacity retention after 500 cycles, while ZIF-8 derived carbon (C) architectures exhibit Coulombic efficiencies (C.Es) approaching 99 % over extended operation. This review systematically examines the current progress and challenges in ZIF-based cathode and separator engineering for LSBs, highlighting structure-performance correlations and offering future perspectives for the rational design of advanced ZIF-derived materials.