Metal-Organic Framework Composites and Their Derivatives as Efficient Electrodes for Energy Storage Applications: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been important electrochemical energy storage (EES) materials because of their rich species, large specific surface area, high porosity and rich active sites. Nevertheless, the poor conductivity, low mechanical and electrochemical stability of pristine MOFs have hindered their further applications. Although single component MOF derivatives have higher conductivity, self-aggregation often occurs during preparation. Composite design can overcome the shortcomings of MOFs and derivatives and create synergistic effects, resulting in improved electrochemical properties for EES. In this review, recent applications of MOF composites and derivatives as electrodes in different types of batteries and supercapacitors are critically discussed. The advantages, challenges, and future perspectives of MOF composites and derivatives have been given. This review may guide the development of high-performance MOF composites and derivatives in the field of EES.

MOF-Derived MnO/C Nanocomposites for High-Performance Supercapacitors

As ordered porous materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted tremendous attention in the field of energy conversion and storage due to their high specific surface area, permanent porosity, and tunable pore sizes. Here, MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposites with regular octahedral shape were synthesized using a Mn-based analogue of the MIL-100 framework (Mn-MIL-100, MIL: Matérial Institut Lavoisier) as the precursor. Using aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), MnO nanocages with a diameter of approximately 20 nm were recognized in the MnO/C nanocomposites fabricated, dispersed in a microporous carbon matrix homogeneously. The nanocages are composed of MnO nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 2 nm and with a single crystal structure. The specific surface area of the as-prepared MnO/C octahedra decreases to 256 m² g^-1 from 507 m² g^-1 of the Mn-MIL-100 precursor, whereas the total pore volume increases to 0.245 cm³ g^-1, which is approximately 29% higher than that of the precursor (0.190 cm³ g^-1). Additionally, when utilized as an electrode for supercapacitors, the MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposite demonstrates a towering specific capacitance of 421 F g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1 and good cycle stability (94%) after 5000 cycles. Our work reveals that the MnO nanoparticles in MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposites exhibit nanocage structure characteristics, which might be inherited from the Mn-MIL-100 precursor with analogous supertetrahedron units.

Efficient Metal-Oriented Electrodeposition of a Co-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Superior Capacitive Performance

An efficient cathodic electrodeposition method is developed for coating Co-based metal-organic frameworks (Co-MOF) on carbon fiber cloth (CFC), a widely used substrate in energy fields. The use of a highly active Co metal surface enables nucleation and growth of Co-MOF in 3D rodlike crystal bundles. When used as a binder-free electrode (Co-MOF/CFC) for supercapacitors, it shows a high areal capacitance of 1784 mF cm^-2 at 1 mA cm^-2 , good cycling stability and excellent rate capability. The assembled asymmetric all-solid-state supercapacitor device (Co-MOF/CFC//AC) delivers a high energy density and power density. This work may open up an effective approach to realize the electrosynthesis of MOF films, promoting use in energy storage and conversion fields.

Enhancing Capacity and Stability of Anionic MOFs as Electrode Material by Cation Exchange

In this study we report on the characterization and use of the anionic metal-organic framework (MOF) JUMP-1, [(Me₂NH₂)₂[Co₃(ntb)₂(bdc)]]_n, alongside with its alkali-metal ion-exchanged analogs JUMP-1(Li) and JUMP-1(Na), as electrode materials for lithium and sodium batteries. Composite electrodes containing these anionic-MOFs were prepared and tested in 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) in propylene carbonate (PC) and/or 1 M sodium TFSI (NaTFSI) in PC. We showed that the ion-exchanged materials JUMP-1(Li) and JUMP-1(Na) display higher capacities in comparison with the original as-prepared compound JUMP-1 (490 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ vs. 164 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ and 83 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ vs. 73 mA∙h∙g⁻¹ in Li and Na based electrolytes, respectively). Additionally, we showed that the stability of the electrodes containing the ion-exchanged materials is higher than that of JUMP-1, suggesting a form of chemical pre-alkalation works to stabilize them prior to cycling. The results of these studies indicate that the use of designed anionic-MOFs represents a promising strategy for the realization of high performance electrodes suitable for energy storage devices.

Fast catalytic transfer hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanol over urea modified Ni@CN nanoparticles

The Ni@CN-450 catalyst prepared via direct pyrolysis of Ni-MOF-74(N) exhibited superior catalytic activity in catalytic transfer hydrogenation.

Subtle metal(ii) effects of 2D coordination networks on SCSC guest exchange

The multi-channel crystals consisting of 2-D networks G@[M(NO3)2L] are an unusually efficient, tolerant, and reproducible matrix offering M-dependent adsorption/desorption of various guest molecules in the single-crystal-to-single-crystal mode.

Cu/CuxO@C nanocomposites as efficient electrodes for high-performance supercapacitor devices

A novel method, reduction followed by oxidation procedure, has been developed to fabricate the efficient electrodes derivated from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which were synthesized using terephthalic acid (TP) or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic...

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.

Constructing a hierarchically structured KNi0.67Co0.33PO4·H2O-graphene hydrogel/Ni foam electrode for superior all-solid-state supercapacitor

A monolithic supercapacitor electrode of a KNi_0.67Co_0.33PO₄·H₂O-graphene composite hydrogel supported on Ni foam (KNCP-GH/NF) is first prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method, which achieves notable improvements in the electrode surface area and mass-loading of active materials. The KNCP-GH/NF electrode enjoys a hierarchical open-porous structure, where the KNCP-GH composite hydrogel fills in the voids in NF and the porous graphene hydrogel (GH) simultaneously provides a large support surface for growing active KNCP nanoflowers. Accordingly, the KNCP-GH/NF electrode exhibits a strikingly high capacity of 3240 mC cm^-2 (876 C g^-1) at 2 mA cm^-2 and a satisfactory rate performance with 78.3% retention at 100 mA cm^-2. Further, an all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor, constituted by using KNCP-GH/NF and Fe₂P/GH/NF as the cathode and anode, respectively, and PVA-KOH as the solid-state gel electrolyte, delivers a high energy density of 69.2 W h kg^-1 (3.9 mW h cm^-3) and a power density of 13 229 W kg^-1 (720 mW h cm^-3) as well as notable cyclability with 81.2% capacity retention after 10 000 charge/discharge cycles. These attractive performances suggest a promising potential for a hierarchically structured KNCP-GH/NF electrode for the high-performance energy storage application.

Recent progress on pristine two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks as active components in supercapacitors

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new generation of 2D materials that can provide uniform active sites and unique open channels as well as excellent catalytic abilities, interesting magnetic properties, and reasonable electrical conductivities. Thus, these MOFs are uniquely qualified for use in applications in energy-related fields or portable devices because they possess fast charge and discharge ability, high power density, and ultralong cycle life factors. There has been worldwide research interest in 2D conducting MOFs, and numerous techniques and strategies have been developed to synthesize these MOFs and their derivatives. Thus, this is the opportune time to review recent research progress on the development of 2D MOFs as electrodes in supercapacitors. This review covers synthetic design strategies, electrochemical performances, and working mechanisms. We will divide these 2D MOFs into two types on the basis of their conductive aspects: 2D conductive MOFs and 2D layered MOFs (including pillar-layered MOFs and 2D nanosheets). The challenges and perspectives of 2D MOFs are also provided.

3D hollow cage copper cobalt sulfide derived from metal–organic frameworks for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors

The fabrication of the advanced MOF-based 3D hollow cage ternary bimetallic material CuCo2S4 for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors.

Two isomeric zeolite-like metal–organic frameworks with mechanically responsive luminescence emission and gas adsorption properties

The two isomeric zeolite-like metal–organic frameworks based on tetrahedral TPO3− ligands and tetrahedrally connected Cd2+ ions were prepared. One of the compounds shows mechanic-responsive luminescence after the crystals were ground for different time.

A novel self-supported structure of Ce-UiO-66/TNF in a redox electrolyte with high supercapacitive performance

A novel self-supported structure of Ce-UiO-66/TNF was firstly synthesized by growing Ce-UiO-66 on a TNF substrate. This novel Ce-UiO-66/TNF material was proved to possess a high supercapacitive performance in the redox electrolyte of Fe(CN)₆^3-/^4-, and it was also the first study for Ce-UiO-66 material on the supercapacitor application. High specific capacitances of 6.9 and 2.5 Fcm^-2 can be achieved at large current densities of 20 and 80 mAcm^-2, respectively. After 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, the capacitance retention can be kept at 95% and the coulomb efficiency can be maintained over 98%. Such outstanding electrochemical performance may be related to the redox property of the electrolyte, high specific surface area of the Ce-UiO-66 material, porous characteristic of the TNF substrate and self-supported structure of the whole electrode.

2D Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for High-Performance BatCap Hybrid Devices

Two identical layered metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (CoFRS and NiFRS) are constructed by using flexible 1,10-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)decane as pillars and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid as rigid linkers. The single-crystal structure analysis indicates that the as-synthesized MOFs possess fluctuant 2D networks with large interlayer lattices. Serving as active electrode elements in supercapacitors, both MOFs deliver excellent rate capabilities, high capacities, and longstanding endurances. Moreover, the new intermediates in two electrodes before and after long-lifespan cycling are also examined, which cannot be identified as metal hydroxides in the peer reports. After assembled into battery-supercapacitor (BatCap) hybrid devices, the NiFRS//activated carbon (AC) device displays better electrochemical results in terms of gravimetric capacitance and cycling performance than CoFRS//AC devices, and a higher energy-density value of 28.7 Wh kg^-1 compared to other peer references with MOFs-based electrodes. Furthermore, the possible factors to support the distinct performances are discussed and analyzed.