Development of ZIF-Derived Nanoporous Carbon and Cobalt Sulfide-Based Electrode Material for Supercapacitor

Sugeno fuzzy inference system modeling and DFT calculations for the treatment of pesticide-laden water by newly developed arginine functionalized magnetic Mn-based metal organic framework

The uncontrolled utilization of pesticides poses a significant risk to the environment and human health, making its management essential. In this regard, a new arginine functionalized magnetic Mn-based metal-organic framework (Arg@m-Mn-MOF) was fabricated and assessed for the removal of cypermethrin (CYP) and chlorpyrifos (CHL) from aqueous system. The Arg@m-Mn-MOF was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. Various parameters were optimized in a series of batch experiments and the following conditions were found optimal: pH: 4 and 5, contact time: 20 min, adsorbent dosage: 0.6 and 0.8 g L-1 with initial concentration: 10 mg L-1 and temperature: 298 K for CYP and CHL, respectively. The composite attained a maximum removal capacity of 44.84 and 71.42 mg g-1 for CYP and CHL, respectively. The elucidated data was strongly fitted to the pseudo-second-order model of kinetics (R2 > 0.98) and Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.98). Based upon 350 experimental datasets obtained from batch studies and interpolated data, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was elucidated with R2 > 0.97 (CHL) and > 0.91 (CYP). The adsorption energy (- 11.67 kcal mol-1) calculated by Gaussian software suggests a good interaction between arginine and CHL through H-bonding. The present study's findings suggested the prepared Arg@m-Mn-MOF as a promising adsorbent for the efficient removal of pesticides from agriculture runoff.

Highly Sensitive and Reliable Piezoresistive Strain Sensor Based on Cobalt Nanoporous Carbon-Incorporated Laser-Induced Graphene for Smart Healthcare Wearables

The development of highly sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective strain sensors is a big challenge for wearable smart electronics and healthcare applications, such as soft robotics, point-of-care systems, and electronic skins. In this study, we newly fabricated a highly sensitive and reliable piezoresistive strain sensor based on polyhedral cobalt nanoporous carbon (Co-NPC)-incorporated laser-induced graphene (LIG) for wearable smart healthcare applications. The synergistic integration of Co-NPC and LIG enables the performance improvement of the strain sensor by providing an additional conductive pathway and robust mechanical properties with a high surface area of Co-NPC nanoparticles. The proposed porous graphene nanosheets exploited with Co-NPC nanoparticles demonstrated an outstanding sensitivity of 1,177 up to a strain of 18%, which increased to 39,548 beyond 18%. Additionally, the fabricated sensor exhibited an ultralow limit of detection (0.02%) and excellent stability over 20,000 cycles even under high strain conditions (10%). Finally, we successfully demonstrated and evaluated the sensor performance for practical use in healthcare wearables by monitoring wrist pulse, neck pulse, and joint flexion movement. Owing to the outstanding performance of the sensor, the fabricated sensor has great potential in electronic skins, human-machine interactions, and soft robotics applications.

ZIF-67 Derived MnO2 Doped Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In this study, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) derived nano-porous carbon structures that were further hybridized with MnO2 were tested for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as cathode material for fuel cells. The prepared electrocatalyst was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX). Cyclic voltammetry was performed on these materials at different scan rates under dissolved oxygen in basic media (0.1 M KOH), inert and oxygen rich conditions to obtain their I–V curves. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Chronoamperometry was also performed to observe the materials’ impedance and stability. We report improved performance of hybridized catalyst for ORR based on cyclic voltammetry and EIS results, which show that it can be a potential candidate for fuel cell applications.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-derived porous carbon materials for supercapacitors: an overview

The present analysis focuses on the synthetic methods used for the application of supercapacitors with various mysterious architectures derived from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). ZIFs represent an emerging and unique class of metal–organic frameworks with structures similar to conventional aluminosilicate zeolites, consisting of imidazolate linkers and metal ions. Their intrinsic porous properties, robust functionalities, and excellent thermal and chemical stabilities have resulted in a wide range of potential applications for various ZIF materials. In this rapidly expanding area, energetic research activities have emerged in the past few years, ranging from synthesis approaches to attractive applications of ZIFs. In this analysis, the development of high-performance supercapacitor electrodes and recent strategies to produce them, including the synthesis of various heterostructures and nanostructures, are analyzed and summarized. This analysis goes via the ingenuity of modern science when it comes to these nanoarchitecture electrodes. Despite these significant achievements, it is still difficult to accurately monitor the morphologies of materials derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) because the induction force during structural transformations at elevated temperatures is in high demand. It is also desirable to achieve the direct synthesis of highly functionalized nanosized materials derived from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) and the growth of nanoporous structures based on ZIFs encoded in specific substrates for the construction of active materials with a high surface area suitable for electrochemical applications. The latest improvements in this field of supercapacitors with materials formed from ZIFs as electrodes using ZIFs as templates or precursors are discussed in this review. Also, the possibility of usable materials derived from ZIFs for both existing and emerging energy storage technologies is discussed.

The present analysis focuses on the synthetic methods used for the application of supercapacitors with various mysterious architectures derived from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs).

Special Issue: Advances in Electrochemical Energy Materials

Electrochemical energy storage is becoming essential for portable electronics, electrified transportation, integration of intermittent renewable energy into grids, and many other energy or power applications. The electrode materials and their structures, in addition to the electrolytes, play key roles in supporting a multitude of coupled physicochemical processes that include electronic, ionic, and diffusive transport in electrode and electrolyte phases, electrochemical reactions and material phase changes, as well as mechanical and thermal stresses, thus determining the storage energy density and power density, conversion efficiency, performance lifetime, and system cost and safety. Different material chemistries and multiscale porous structures are being investigated for high performance and low cost. The aim of this Special Issue is to report the recent advances of materials used in electrochemical energy storage that encompasses supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries.