Fabrication of Co3O4 from Cobalt/2,6-Napthalenedicarboxylic Acid Metal-Organic Framework as Electrode for Supercapacitor Application

Morphology-controlled synthesis of MoS2 using citric acid as a complexing agent and self-assembly inducer for high electrochemical performance

Two-dimensional MoS2 with a controllable morphology was prepared via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. Citric acid was used as a complexing agent and self-assembly inducer. The morphology of MoS2 changed from clusters to nanosheets, and, eventually, to stacked nanorods. A formation mechanism is proposed for the observed evolution of the morphology. The nanosheet structure presents a relatively large specific surface area, more exposed active sites and greater 1T phase content compared to the other morphologies. The electrochemical performance tests show that the MoS2 nanosheets exhibit excellent electrochemical behavior. Their specific capacitance is 320.5 F g-1, and their capacitance retention is up to 95% after 5000 cycles at 5 mA cm-2. This work provides a feasible approach for changing the morphology of MoS2 for high efficiency electrode materials for supercapacitors.

Metal-Organic Framework Reinforced Acrylic Polymer Marine Coatings

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of crystalline, porous, 3D materials synthesized by the linking of metal nodes and organic linkers are rapidly emerging as attractive materials in gas storage, electrodes in batteries, super-capacitors, sensors, water treatment, and medicine etc. However the utility of MOFs in coatings, especially in marine coatings, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this manuscript we report the first study on silver MOF (Ag-MOF) functionalized acrylic polymers for marine coatings. A simple and rapid microwave technique was used to synthesize a two-dimensional platelet structured Ag-MOF. Field tests on the MOF reinforced marine coatings exhibited an antifouling performance, which can be attributed to the inhibition of marine organisms to settle as evidenced by the anti-bacterial activity of Ag-MOFs. Our results indicate that MOF based coatings are highly promising candidates for marine coatings.

Structural and Thermal Investigations of Co(II) and Ni(II) Coordination Polymers Based on biphenyl-4,4'-dioxydiacetate Linker

Two coordination polymers, [Co(µ₄-L)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Ni(µ-L)(H₂O)₄]_n (2), were solvothermally assembled from the corresponding metal(II) chlorides and biphenyl-4,4-dioxydiacetic acid (H₂L) as a flexible dicarboxylate linker. The cobalt(II) compound 1 featured a layer-pillared 3D metal-organic network with a cds topology, while the nickel(II) derivative 2 represented a linear chain 1D coordination polymer with a 2C1 topology. The µ₄₋ and µ-L²⁻ linkers exhibited different denticity and coordination modes in the synthesized compounds, thus contributing to their structural diversity. The dimensionality of 1 and 2 had an influence on their thermal stability and decomposition processes, which were investigated in detail by TG-DSC and TG-FTIR methods. Thermal decomposition products of coordination polymers were also analyzed by PXRD, confirming the formation of Co₃O₄/CoO and NiO as final materials. The obtained compounds broaden a family of coordination polymers assembled from flexible dicarboxylate linkers.

Flexible Supercapacitors Based on Graphene/Boron Nitride Nanosheets Electrodes and PVA/PEI Gel Electrolytes

All-solid-state supercapacitors have gained increasing attention as wearable energy storage devices, partially due to their flexible, safe, and lightweight natures. However, their electrochemical performances are largely hampered by the low flexibility and durability of current polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based electrolytes. Herein, a novel polyvinyl alcohol-polyethyleneimine (PVA-PEI) based, conductive and elastic hydrogel was devised as an all-in-one electrolyte platform for wearable supercapacitor (WSC). For proof-of-concept, we assembled all-solid-state supercapacitors based on boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) intercalated graphene electrodes and PVA-PEI based gel electrolyte. Furthermore, by varying the electrolyte ions, we observed synergistic effects between the hydrogel and the electrode materials when KOH was used as electrolyte ions, as the Graphene/BNNS@PVA-PEI-KOH WSCs exhibited a significantly improved areal capacitance of 0.35 F/cm2 and a smaller ESR of 6.02 ohm/cm2. Moreover, due to the high flexibility and durability of the PVA-PEI hydrogel electrolyte, the developed WSCs behave excellent flexibility and cycling stability under different bending states and after 5000 cycles. Therefore, the conductive, yet elastic, PVA-PEI hydrogel represents an attractive electrolyte platform for WSC, and the Graphene/BNNS@PVA-PEI-KOH WSCs shows broad potentials in powering wearable electronic devices.