MOF-reinforced Co9S8 self-supported nanowire arrays for highly durable and flexible supercapacitor

Generic heterostructure interfaces bound to Co9S8 for efficient overall water splitting supported by photothermal

The increase of reaction temperature of electrocatalysts and the construction of heterogeneous structures is regarded as an efficient method to improve the electrocatalytic water splitting activity. Here, we report an approach to enhance the local heat and active sites of the catalyst by building a heterostructure with Co9S8 to significantly improve its electrocatalytic performance. The as-fabricated Co9S8@Ce-NiCo LDH/NF electrode possesses a notable photothermal ability, as it effectively converts near-infrared (NIR) light into the local heat, owing to its significant optical absorption. Leveraging these favorable qualities, the prepared Co9S8@Ce-NiCo LDH/NF electrode showed impressive performance in both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (η100 = 144 mV) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) (η100 = 229 mV) under NIR light. Compared to the absence of the NIR light, the presence of NIR irradiation leads to a 24.6 % increase in catalytic efficiency for HER and a 15.8 % increase for OER. Additionally, other dual-functional electrocatalysts like NiCo-P, NiFeMo, and NiFe(OH)x also demonstrated significantly enhanced photothermal effects and improved catalytic performance owing to the augmented photothermal conversion when combined with Co9S8. This work offers novel pathways for the development of photothermal-electrocatalytic systems that facilitate economically efficient and energy-conserving overall water splitting processes.

Binder-Free MOF-Based and MOF-Derived Nanoarrays for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage: Progress and Perspectives

The fast development of Internet of Things and the rapid advent of next-generation versatile wearable electronics require cost-effective and highly-efficient electroactive materials for flexible electrochemical energy storage devices. Among various electroactive materials, binder-free nanostructured arrays have attracted widespread attention. Featured with growing on a conductive and flexible substrate without using inactive and insulating binders, binder-free 3D nanoarray electrodes facilitate fast electron/ion transportation and rapid reaction kinetics with more exposed active sites, maintain structure integrity of electrodes even under bending or twisted conditions, readily release generated joule heat during charge/discharge cycles and achieve enhanced gravimetric capacity of the whole device. Binder-free metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoarrays and/or MOF-derived nanoarrays with high surface area and unique porous structure have emerged with great potential in energy storage field and been extensively exploited in recent years. In this review, common substrates used for binder-free nanoarrays are compared and discussed. Various MOF-based and MOF-derived nanoarrays, including metal oxides, sulfides, selenides, nitrides, phosphides and nitrogen-doped carbons, are surveyed and their electrochemical performance along with their applications in flexible energy storage are analyzed and overviewed. In addition, key technical issues and outlooks on future development of MOF-based and MOF-derived nanoarrays toward flexible energy storage are also offered.

One-step electrodeposited Ni3S2/Co9S8/NiS composite on Ni foam as high-performance electrode for supercapacitors

Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are considered as one of the promising electrode materials due to their fascinating redox reversibility and electronic conductivity. However, volume expansion during the charge/discharge process impedes their practical applications. The reasonable design of TMS electrode materials with unique morphology can improve the energy storage performance. Herein, we prepared the Ni₃S₂/Co₉S₈/NiS composite that is in situ grown on Ni foam (NF) via a one-step electrodeposition process. The optimized Ni₃S₂/Co₉S₈/NiS-7 shows a superhigh specific capacity of 2785.3 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 and remarkable rate capability. Furthermore, the as-assembled device displays a high energy density of 40.1 W h kg^-1 at a power density of 799.3 W kg^-1 and a satisfactory stability of 96.6% retention after 5000 cycles. This work provides a facile way to fabricate new TMS electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

Road Map for In Situ Grown Binder-Free MOFs and Their Derivatives as Freestanding Electrodes for Supercapacitors

Among several electrocatalysts for energy storage purposes including supercapacitors, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and their derivatives have spurred wide spread interest owing to their structural merits, multifariousness with tailor-made functionalities and tunable pore sizes. The electrochemical performance of supercapacitors can be further enhanced using in situ grown MOFs and their derivatives, eliminating the role of insulating binders whose "dead mass" contribution hampers the device capability otherwise. The expulsion of binders not only ensures better adhesion of catalyst material with the current collector but also facilitates the transport of electron and electrolyte ions and remedy cycle performance deterioration with better chemical stability. This review systematically summarizes different kinds of metal-ligand combinations for in situ grown MOFs and derivatives, preparation techniques, modification strategies, properties, and charge transport mechanisms as freestanding electrode materials in determining the performance of supercapacitors. In the end, the review also highlights potential promises, challenges, and state-of-the-art advancement in the rational design of electrodes to overcome the bottlenecks and to improve the capability of MOFs in energy storage applications.

A sulfur defective Mn-doped Ni3S2-xnanosheet for enhanced overall water splitting

Non-precious and stable electrocatalysts towards both oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction (OER/HER) are essential for effective overall water splitting in alkaline solution. In this study, a sulfur defective and manganese-doped nickel sulfide nanosheet that uniformly grown on nickel foam substrate (Mn-Ni₃S_2-x@NF) is synthesized. In alkaline solution, the Mn-Ni₃S_2-x@NF showed a low overpotential of 76 and 110 mV for OER and HER at 10 mA cm^-2, respectively, together exhibiting excellent stability for both OER and HER reaction. It was confirmed by the experimental results that sulfur defects and Mn-doping synergistically optimized the electronic structure of Mn-Ni₃S_2-xwith increased electrical conductivity and enhanced OER/HER activity. Moreover, amorphous nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) was observed byin situRaman during the OER condition, suggesting NiOOH is the active phase for OER reaction. Furthermore, the electrolyzer assembled by Mn-Ni₃S_2-x@NF merely needs 1.46 V to reach 10 mA cm^-2and shows good stability as well. This study provides a feasible way to prepare high-efficiency bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting.

Heterogeneous cobalt polysulfide leaf-like array/carbon nanofiber composites derived from zeolite imidazole framework for advanced asymmetric supercapacitors

Developing new electrode materials is one of the keys to improving the energy density of supercapacitors. In this article, a novel cobalt polysulfide/carbon nanofibers (C,N-Co_xS_y/CNF) film derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework is first prepared by a facile strategy. The composite material with two-dimensional leaf-shaped nanoarray neatly grown on the surface of carbon nanofibers is composed of CoS, CoS₂, Co₉S₈, N-doped carbon nanosheets, and carbon nanofibers. It is found that the composite can not only increase the contact area with the electrolyte but also provide abundant redox-active sites and a Faraday capacitance for the entire electrode. The C,N-Co_xS_y/CNF composite exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, including a high capacity of up to 1080F g ^-1 at 1 A g ^-1 and a good rate capability (80.4 % from 1 A g ^-1 to 10 A g ^-1). A C,N-Co_xS_y/CNF//AC asymmetric supercapacitor device is assembled using C,N-Co_xS_y/CNF as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode, showing high energy density (37.29 Wh kg ^-1@813.6 W kg ^-1) and good cycle stability (90.5% of initial specific capacitance at 10 g^-1 after 5000 cycles). This C,N-Co_xS_y/CNF composite material may also be used as a potential electrode for future lithium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, etc.

Self-templating Scheme for the Synthesis of NiCo2Se4 and BiSe Hollow Microspheres for High-energy Density Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Porous hollow structure of the electrode materials can enlarge the surface area in contact with the electrolyte, accelerating the transport of ions and electrons during redox reaction to enhance electrochemical...

State of the art developments and prospects of metal-organic frameworks for energy applications

The progress on technologies for the cleaner and ecological transformation and storage of energy to combat effluence or pollution and the impending energy dilemma has recently attracted interest from energy research groups, particularly in the field of coordination chemistry, among inorganic chemists. Carriers for storing energy or facilitating mass and e^- transport are considered significant for energy conversion. Accordingly, considering their properties such as large surface area, low cost, customizable pore diameter, tunable topologies, low densities, and variable frameworks, MOFs (metal-organic frameworks) and their derivatives are well-suited for this purpose. MOFs are an innovative category of porous and crystalline materials, which have gained significant interest in recent years. Thus, herein, we highlight the state of the art progress on MOFs for energy-based applications, as perfect compounds and elements in compound assemblies for converting solar energy, lithium-ion arrays, fuel devices, hydrogen production, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, proton conduction, etc. In addition, the substantial progress achieved in the production of various composites and derivatives containing MOFs with particular focus on supercapacitors and gas adsorption and storage is summarized, concentrating on the correlation between their coordination structural frameworks and applications in the field of energy. The current improved strategies, challenges, and future prospects are also presented in view of the coordination chemistry governing the structural modification of MOFs for energy applications.

Rationally designed NiMn LDH@NiCo2O4core-shell structures for high energy density supercapacitor and enzyme-free glucose sensor

Exploring high-efficiency and low-cost bifunctional electrodes for supercapacitors and sensors is significant but challenging. Most of the existing electrodes are mostly single-functional materials with simple structure. Herein, NiCo₂O₄nanowires as the core and NiMn layered double hydroxide (LDH) as the shell is directly grownin situon carbon cloth (CC) to form a heterostructure (NiMn LDH@NiCo₂O₄/CC). The performance in supercapacitors and enzyme-free glucose sensing has been systematically studied. Compared with a single NiCo₂O₄nanowire or NiMn LDH nanosheet, the heterogeneous interface produced by the unique core-shell structure has stronger electronic interaction and abundant active surface area, which shows excellent electrochemical performance. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that the NiMn LDH@NiCo₂O₄/CC core-shell electrode possesses an area specific capacitance of 2.40 F cm^-2and a rate capability of 76.22% at 20 mA cm^-2. Simultaneously, asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled with it as the positive electrode and NiFe LDH@NiCo₂O₄/CC as the negative electrode. The supercapacitor possesses an energy density of 47.74 Wh kg^-1when the power density is 175 W kg^-1, revealing excellent performance and maintains cycle stability of 93.48% after 6000 cycles at 10 mA cm^-2. Additionally, the electrode applied as enzyme-free glucose sensor electrode also displays outstanding sensitivity of 2139μA mM^-1cm^-2, wide detection range (2μM^-3mM and 4-8 mM) and low detection limit of 210 nM, representing good anti-interference performance. This work reveals the multi-metal synergy and rationally designed core-shell structure is critical to the electrochemical performance of bifunctional electrodes.

Self-Supported Sheets-on-Wire CuO@Ni(OH)2/Zn(OH)2 Nanoarrays for High-Performance Flexible Quasi-Solid-State Supercapacitor

Transition metal hydroxides have attracted a lot of attention as the electrode materials for supercapacitors owing to their relatively high theoretical capacity, low cost, and facile preparation methods. However, their low intrinsic conductivity deteriorates their high-rate performance and cycling stability. Here, self-supported sheets-on-wire CuO@Ni(OH)2/Zn(OH)2 (CuO@NiZn) composite nanowire arrays were successfully grown on copper foam. The CuO nanowire backbone provided enhanced structural stability and a highly efficient electron-conducting pathway from the active hydroxide nanosheets to the current collector. The resulting CuO@NiZn as the battery-type electrode for supercapacitor application delivered a high capacity of 306.2 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.8 A g−1 and a very stable capacity of 195.1 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1 for 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. Furthermore, a quasi-solid-state hybrid supercapacitor (qss HSC) was assembled with active carbon, exhibiting 125.3 mAh g−1 at 0.8 A g−1 and a capacity of 41.6 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1 for 5000 charge–discharge cycles. Furthermore, the qss HSC was able to deliver a high energy density of about 116.0 Wh kg−1. Even at the highest power density of 7.8 kW kg−1, an energy density of 20.5 Wh kg−1 could still be obtained. Finally, 14 red light-emitting diodes were lit up by a single qss HSC at different bending states, showing good potential for flexible energy storage applications.

The Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Derivatives for Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors (SCs), one of the most popular types of energy-storage devices, present lots of advantages, such as large power density and fast charge/discharge capability. Being the promising SCs electrode materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have gained ever-increasing attention due to their large specific surface area, controllable porous structure and rich diversity. Herein, the recent development of MOFs-based materials and their application in SCs as the electrode are reviewed and summarized. The preparation method, the morphology of the materials and the electrical performance of various MOFs and their derivatives (such as carbon, metal oxide/hydroxide and metal sulfide) are briefly discussed. Most of recent works concentrate on Ni-, Co- and Mn-MOFs and their composites/derivatives. Conclusions and our outlook for the researches are also given, which would be a valuable guideline for the rational design of MOFs materials for SCs in the near future.

Controlled Preparation of Hollow and Porous Co9S8 Microplate Arrays for High-Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors

The design and controlled preparation of hollow and porous metal sulfide arrays are an important issue for electrochemical energy storage and conversion because of their unique structural merits including large surface areas, shortened diffusion paths, and rich reaction sites. Herein, a hollow and porous Co₉S₈ microplate array (MPA) was successfully fabricated by a facile self-sacrifice template strategy, which involved the uniform growth of a metal-organic framework microplate template on Ni foam (NF) and annealing in air, followed by an anion-exchange reaction with S^2- ions. The resulting Co₉S₈-MPA/NF as a binder-free electrode for a supercapacitor shows a high specific capacitance of 1852 F g^-1 (926 C g^-1) at 1 A g^-1 and an excellent cycling stability (86% retention after 5000 cycles at 20 A g^-1). Moreover, a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) constructed with Co₉S₈-MPA/NF and activated carbon exhibits an outstanding energy density of 25.49 Wh kg^-1 at a high power density of 800 W kg^-1 and a long-term stability of 92% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at 10 A g^-1. It is worth noting that the prepared all-solid-state HSC can light a red light-emitting diode for 2 min, proving to be a great practical application prospect. These excellent electrochemical behaviors show that this effective conversion strategy offers more possibilities for the development of high-performance energy storage metal sulfide materials.