Synthesis and electrochemical analysis of electrode prepared from zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-67/graphene composite for lithium sulfur cells

Solid-state Ru(bpy)32+ electrochemiluminescence sensor for trace detection of fenpropathrin using loofah sponge-like carbon nanofibers and CdS

Loofah sponge-like carbon nanofibers (LF-Co,N/CNFs) were utilized as a carrier for Ru(bpy)32+, and then combined with CdS to create a novel solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensor capable of detecting trace amounts of fenpropathrin. LF-Co,N/CNFs, obtained through the high-temperature pyrolysis of ZIF-67 coaxial electrospinning fibers, were characterized by a loofah-like morphology and exhibited a significant specific surface area and porosity. Apart from serving as a carrier, LF-Co,N/CNFs also functioned as a luminescence accelerator, enhancing the system's luminescence efficiency by facilitating electron transmission and reducing the transmission distance. The inclusion of CdS in the luminescence reaction, in conjunction with Ru(bpy)32+, further boosted the sensor's luminescence signal. The resulting sensor demonstrated a satisfactory signal, with fenpropathrin causing significant quenching of the ECL signal. Under optimized conditions, a linear relationship between the signal quench value and fenpropathrin concentration in the range 1 × 10-12 to 1 × 10-6 M was observed, with a detection limit of 3.3 × 10-13 M (S/N = 3). This developed sensor is characterized by its simplicity, sensitivity, and successful application in detecting fenpropathrin in real samples. The study not only presents a straightforward detection platform for fenpropathrin but also introduces new avenues for the rapid determination of various food contaminants, thereby expanding the utility of carbon fibers in electrochemiluminescence sensors.

Spontaneous Built-In Electric Field in C3N4-CoSe2 Modified Multifunctional Separator with Accelerating Sulfur Evolution Kinetics and Li Deposition for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The discovery of the heterostructures that is combining two materials with different properties has brought new opportunities for the development of lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs). Here, C3N4-CoSe2 composite is elaborately designed and used as a functional coating on the LSBs separator. The abundant chemisorption sites of C3N4-CoSe2 form chemical bonding with polysulfides, provides suitable adsorption energy for lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). More importantly, the spontaneously formed internal electric field accelerates the charge flow in the C3N4-CoSe2 interface, thus facilitating the transport of LiPSs and electrons and promoting the bidirectional conversion of sulfur. Meanwhile, the lithiophilic C3N4-CoSe2 sample with catalytic activity can effectively regulate the uniform distribution of lithium when Li+ penetrates the separator, avoiding the formation of lithium dendrites in the lithium (Li) metal anode. Therefore, LSBs based on C3N4-CoSe2 functionalized membranes exhibit a stable long cycle life at 1C (with capacity decay of 0.0819% per cycle) and a large areal capacity of 10.30 mAh cm-2 at 0.1C (sulfur load: 8.26 mg cm-2, lean electrolyte 5.4 µL mgs -1). Even under high-temperature conditions of 60 °C, a capacity retention rate of 81.8% after 100 cycles at 1 C current density is maintained.

Design of iron oxyhydroxide nanosheets coated on Co species embedded in nanoporous carbon for oxygen evolution reaction

There is still a tremendous challenge in designing environmentally friendly oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts that are inexpensive and high-performing for practical applications. Herein, the self-sacrificing template zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) was pyrolyzed under N2 atmosphere to generate Co species embedded in nanoporous carbon (Co-NC). Then, iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) was wrapped onto the Co-NC surface via electrodeposition to shape the Co-NC@FeOOH composites. Benefiting from the core-shell structure, high conductivity, and distributed active sites, Co-NC@FeOOH presents distinguished OER performance with a low overpotential (336 mV) at 10 mA cm-2 and small Tafel slope (49.46 mV dec-1). This work furnishes a rosy passage for receiving cost-effective electrocatalysts with high efficiency for OER.

Freeze-Drying-Assisted ZIF-67 Template-Derived Co@NCS Porous Composite as Sulfur Cathode Host for Improved Li-S Battery Performance: Deconvolution of Diffusive and Capacitive Li+ Storage

A zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF-67) template-derived cobalt@nitrogen-doped carbon-sulfur composite (ZIF-Co@NCS) was synthesized using a freeze-drying method and explored for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Material characterizations confirmed the formation of the ZIF-Co@NCS composite. To fabricate the Li-S battery in a coin-type CR-2032 cell, the as-synthesized ZIF-Co@NCS composite having a sulfur content of ∼65% was used as a cathode material and coupled with a lithium metal anode. This battery demonstrated exceptional cycling stability over 600 charge-discharge cycles with a steady capacity of 550 mAh g-1 at 0.05 C-rate. The good electrochemical performance of the cathode was ascribed to the nanofeatures associated with the freeze-dried porous carbon structure, which offered enough space for the sulfur cathode. The enhanced trapping of polysulfide facilitated by the presence of the Co-N sites in the ZIF-Co@NCS composite led to excellent cycling stability. The derived cathode composite showed a high specific capacity, outstanding rate capability, and excellent cyclic stability rendering it a promising candidate for high-performance Li-S batteries. Detailed Li+ ion charge storage examined by means of Dunn's method revealed a significant capacitive mode of charge storage both at peak currents and nonpeak currents. The post-mortem analysis of the cycled cathode using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy at different depth-of-discharge (DOD) values revealed the stepwise formation of discharge products.

In-situ synthesized ZIF-67 graphene oxide (ZIF-67/GO) nanocomposite for efficient individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions

Heavy metals are ubiquitous in water bodies as a result of anthropogenic activities and over time they accumulate in body thus posing serious health problems. Therefore, it is essential to improve sensing performance, for determination of heavy metal ions (HMIs), of electrochemical sensors. In this work, cobalt-derived MOF (ZIF-67) was in-situ synthesized and incorporated onto the surface of graphene oxide (GO) by simple sonication method. The prepared material (ZIF-67/GO) was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy. Afterwards, a sensing platform was made by drop-casting synthesized composite onto glassy carbon electrode for individual and simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions pollutants (Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cr³⁺) with estimated detection limits of 2 nM, 1 nM, 5 nM, and 0.6 nM, respectively, when determined simultaneously, that are below the permissible limit by World Health Organization. To the best of our knowledge, this is first report of HMIs detection by ZIF-67 incorporated GO sensor which can successfully determine the Hg⁺², Zn⁺², Pb⁺², and Cr⁺³ ions simultaneously with lower detection limits.

Metal-Organic-Framework-Derived Nanostructures as Multifaceted Electrodes in Metal-Sulfur Batteries

Metal-sulfur batteries (MSBs) are considered up-and-coming future-generation energy storage systems because of their prominent theoretical energy density. However, the practical applications of MSBs are still hampered by several critical challenges, i.e., the shuttle effects, sluggish redox kinetics, and low conductivity of sulfur species. Recently, benefiting from the high surface area, regulated networks, molecular/atomic-level reactive sites, the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived nanostructures have emerged as efficient and durable multifaceted electrodes in MSBs. Herein, a timely review is presented on recent advancements in designing MOF-derived electrodes, including fabricating strategies, composition management, topography control, and electrochemical performance assessment. Particularly, the inherent charge transfer, intrinsic polysulfide immobilization, and catalytic conversion on designing and engineering of MOF nanostructures for efficient MSBs are systematically discussed. In the end, the essence of how MOFs' nanostructures influence their electrochemical properties in MSBs and conclude the future tendencies regarding the construction of MOF-derived electrodes in MSBs is exposed. It is believed that this progress review will provide significant experimental/theoretical guidance in designing and understanding the MOF-derived nanostructures as multifaceted electrodes, thus offering promising orientations for the future development of fast-kinetic and robust MSBs in broad energy fields.

Water stable graphene oxide metal-organic frameworks composite (ZIF-67@GO) for efficient removal of malachite green from water

Malachite green (MG) is extensively applied in aquaculture worldwide as a therapeutic agent. MG and its primary metabolite leucomalachite green (LMG) are commonly detected in aquaculture products. MG can cause serious health concerns (in vivo carcinogenic/genotoxic). The extensive water solubility of MG leads to water pollution and hence it is mandatory to remove MG from water. The current study explores adsorptive removal of MG from water using highly water stable Zeolitic Imidazolate framework/graphene oxide composites (ZIF-67@GO). Adsorption performance of newly synthesized composites is justified for MG removal with excellent results of pseudo second order (R² = 0.99955) which is well-fitted in this case. ZIF-67@GO data of adsorption isotherm for MG is observed using Freundlich Model (R² = 0.99999) and with adsorption capacity value observed (134.79 mg/g) with removal efficiency of 99.18%, indicates π-staking and electrostatic association between ZIF-67@GO and MG molecules. Synthesized material has retained reusability while removal efficiency reduced only by 6% after many cycles. Furthermore, factors effecting absorption like contact time, pH, adsorbent dose and quantity and temperature are also determined.

Nano-gate opening pressures for the adsorption of isobutane, n-butane, propane, and propylene gases on bimetallic Co–Zn based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks

In this article, zeolitic-imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and its mixed metal CoZn-ZIF-8 were synthesized via a rapid microwave method. They exhibited a nanogate opening pressure threshold for the adsorption of C₃ and C₄ compounds.

Electrochemical determination of dopamine and uric acid using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite consisting of a Co(II)-based metalorganic framework (ZIF-67) and graphene oxide

A composite was prepared from a Co(II)-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) and graphene oxide (GO) by an in situ growth method. The material was electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified GCE was used for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA), typically at working potentials of 0.11 and 0.25 V (vs. SCE). The morphology and structure of the nanocomposite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The modified electrode exhibits excellent electroanalytical performance for DA and UA owing to the synergistic effect of the high electrical conductivity of GO and the porosity of ZIF-67. By applying differential pulse voltammetry, a linear response is found for DA in the 0.2 to 80 μM concentration range, and for UA between 0.8 and 200 μM, with detection limits of 50 and 100 nM (at S/N = 3), respectively. Further studies were performed on the effect of potential interferents, and on electrode stability and reproducibility. The modified GCE was applied to the simultaneous detection of DA and UA in spiked human urine and gave satisfying recoveries. Graphical abstract Schematic of the preparation procedure of GO-ZIF67 and electrochemical reaction mechanisms of UA and DA at the GO-ZIF67-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). GO: graphene oxide; ZIF-67: Co(II)-based zeolitic imidazolate framework.