An Azo-Group-Functionalized Porous Aromatic Framework for Achieving Highly Efficient Capture of Iodine

The strong radioactivity of iodine compounds derived from nuclear power plant wastes has motivated the development of highly efficient adsorbents. Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) have attracted much attention due to their low density and diverse structure. In this work, an azo group containing PAF solid, denoted as LNU-58, was prepared through Suzuki polymerization of tris-(4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-phenyl)-amine and 3,5-dibromoazobenzene building monomers. Based on the specific polarity properities of the azo groups, the electron-rich aromatic fragments in the hierarchical architecture efficiently capture iodine molecules with an adsorption capacity of 3533.11 mg g−1 (353 wt%) for gaseous iodine and 903.6 mg g−1 (90 wt%) for dissolved iodine. The iodine uptake per specific surface area up to 8.55 wt% m−2 g−1 achieves the highest level among all porous adsorbents. This work illustrates the successful preparation of a new type of porous adsorbent that is expected to be applied in the field of practical iodine adsorption.

Rational design of covalent triazine frameworks based on pore size and heteroatomic toward high performance supercapacitors

A series of covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) are prepared via ionothermal synthesis for supercapacitors. Due to the feature of adjustable pore structure and rich nitrogen, CTFs with regular structure can be used as a group of model compounds to further investigate the influence of pore size and heteroatom on supercapacitors. By comparing the performance of CTFs with different pore structures and nitrogen contents, the experimental results show that BPY-CTF with high specific surface area of 2278 m² g^-1, mesopores structure, and suitable nitrogen content displays a specific capacitance of 393.6 F g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1. According to the results and analysis, the existence of mesopores largely enhance the contact area between the electrode material and electrolyte, and then boost the charge transfer. On the other hand, N-doping has a prominent effect on improving the Faradaic pseudo-capacitance and conductivity for CTF electrode materials. This work will inspire further research on the development of highly efficient electrode materials for energy storage devices.

Fine-regulating ultramicropores in porous carbon via a self-sacrificial template route for high-performance supercapacitors

Ultramicropores (size < 0.7 nm) are critically demanded to provide an efficient path for the penetration and transportation of electrolytes to achieve high-performance supercapacitors. Here, a self-sacrificial template approach is adopted, which introduces C8 alkyl chains with a kinetic diameter of 0.8-1 nm to occupy the cavity of a porous aromatic framework (PAF). During the heating process, the alkyl chains decompose from the dense architecture as the temperature increased from 500 to 600 °C, forming ∼1 nm micropores. The newly-obtained cavities provide sites for thermal-driven skeleton engineering (700-900 °C) to obtain ultramicropores. Based on the well-defined pore structure, the carbonized PAF solid revealed outstanding electrochemical performances, including high rate and long-term stability in a 6 M KOH electrolyte. Notably, the specific capacitance (294 F g-1) derived from the self-sacrificial template method exceeds the capability of all the other methods for the construction of ultramicropores including self-template strategy, carbonization of nanoparticles, and template-assisted strategy. The synthesis of ultramicroporous carbons via the self-sacrificial template route opens up a promising gate to adjust the porous structure for high-performance applications in supercapacitors.

One-step carbonization of a nickel-containing nitrogen-doped porous carbon material for electrochemical supercapacitors

Improving the graphitization degree of materials by Ni metal catalysis, so as to enhance the electrical properties of the material.

Ultrastable conductive microporous covalent triazine frameworks based on pyrene moieties provide high-performance CO2 uptake and supercapacitance

Two pyrene-functionalized CTFs through ionothermal treatment TCNPy in the presence of molten zinc chloride at 500 °C, which displayed high-performance CO₂ uptake and supercapacitance.