High Energy Density Supercapacitors: An Overview of Efficient Electrode Materials,Electrolytes, Design,and Fabrication

Supercapacitors (SCs) are potentially trustworthy energy storage devices, therefore getting huge attention from researchers. However, due to limited capacitance and low energy density, there is still scope for improvement. The race to develop novel methods for enhancing their electrochemical characteristics is still going strong, where the goal of improving their energy density to match that of batteries by increasing their specific capacitance and raising their working voltage while maintaining high power capability and cutting the cost of production. In this light, this paper offers a succinct summary of current developments and fresh insights into the construction of SCs with high energy density which might help new researchers in the field of supercapacitor research. From electrolytes, electrodes, and device modification perspectives, novel applicable methodologies were emphasized and explored. When compared to conventional SCs, the special combination of electrode material/composites and electrolytes along with their fabrication design considerably enhances the electrochemical performance and energy density of the SCs. Emphasis is placed on the dynamic and mechanical variables connected to SCs′ energy storage process. To point the way toward a positive future for the design of high-energy SCs, the potential and difficulties are finally highlighted. Further, we explore a few important topics for enhancing the energy densities of supercapacitors, as well as some links between major impacting factors. The review also covers the obstacles and prospects in this fascinating subject. This gives a fundamental understanding of supercapacitors as well as a crucial design principle for the next generation of improved supercapacitors being developed for commercial and consumer use.     

Pore‐Environment Engineering in Multifunctional Metal‐Organic Frameworks

As a new type of highly ordered porous crystalline material, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been extensively studied in many fields due to their high specific surface area and porosity, flexible modifiability and tailorability. After nearly 20 years of development, the synthesis of MOF materials has gradually evolved from exploration and trial to precise design. The synthesis method has also evolved from an early one‐step synthesis to the coexistence of various synthesis strategies, including functional‐oriented microstructural design optimization, pore size adjustment, and secondary structural unit modification, enabling MOF materials to expand their potential applications in many fields. In this review, we mainly discuss the pore regulation of function‐oriented MOF through different synthesis strategies, including (1) direct synthesis, (2) post‐synthesis modification (PSM), (3) building block replacement (BBR), (4) pore space partition (PSP), (5) construction of multi‐mesoporous MOF, (6) dynamic septal ligand insertion, and discuss the relationship between related performance optimization through framework structure and pore environment/size optimization.     

Recent advances in metal‐organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks for sample preparation and chromatographic analysis

In the field of analytical chemistry, sample preparation and chromatographic separation are two core procedures. The means by which to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and detection limit of a method have become a topic of great interest. Recently, porous organic frameworks, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been widely used in this research area because of their special features, and different methods have been developed. This review summarizes the applications of MOFs and COFs in sample preparation and chromatographic stationary phases. The MOF‐ or COF‐based solid‐phase extraction (SPE), solid‐phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography (GC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC) methods are described. The excellent properties of MOFs and COFs have resulted in intense interest in exploring their performance and mechanisms for sample preparation and chromatographic separation.     

Metal‐organic framework ZIF‐8 nanocrystals as pseudostationary phase for capillary electrokinetic chromatography

The outstanding properties such as large surface area, diverse structure, and accessible tunnels and cages make metal organic frameworks (MOFs) attractive as novel separation media in separation sciences. However, the utilization of MOFs in EKC has not been reported before. Here we show the exploration of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8), one of famous MOFs, as the pseudostationary phase (PSP) in EKC. ZIF‐8 nanocrystals were used as the PSP through dispersing in the running buffer (20 mM phosphate solution containing a 1% v/v methanol (pH 9.2)) to enhance the separation of the phenolic isomers (p‐benzenediol, m‐benzenediol, o‐benzenediol, m‐nitrophenol, p‐nitrophenol, and o‐nitrophenol). ZIF‐8 nanocrystals in the running buffer were negatively charged, and interacted with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of the analytes, and thus greatly improved the separation of the phenolic isomers. Inclusion of 200 mg L?¹ ZIF‐8 in the running buffer as the background electrolyte gave a baseline separation of the phenolic isomers within 4 min. The relative standard deviations for five replicate separations of the phenolic isomers were 0.2–1.1% for migration time and 4.5–9.7% for peak area. The limits of detection varied from 0.44 to 2.0 mg L?¹. The results show that nanosized MOFs are promising for application in EKC.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Luminescent Properties of two 3, 5‐Dimethyl‐1‐H‐1, 2,4‐triazole‐Based Zinc Metal‐Organic Frameworks with Aromatic Carboxylate as Coligand

Two metal‐organic frameworks, [Zn(dmtrz)(btrc)_1/3]_n ( 1 ) and [Zn₂(dmtrz)₂(btec)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ) (dmtrz = 3, 5‐dimethyl‐1‐H‐1, 2,4‐triazole, btrc = 1, 3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate, btec = 1, 2,4, 5‐benzenetetracarboxylate), were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. The crystal structure analysis reveals that compound 1 is a dense 3D framework with Schläfli symbols of {4³}₂{4⁶ · 6⁶ · 8³}₃, which is a loh1 structure. Compound 2 is a 2D network. In addition, the photoluminescence of two compounds were studied in solid state at room temperature, together with their thermal analysis.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of the 3D Porous Framework [Zn(INAIP)]·DMA·H2O

A new three‐dimensional (3D) porous framework [Zn(INAIP)] · DMA · H₂O ( 1 ) [INAIP = 5‐(isonicotinamido)isophthalate, DMA = N,N′‐dimethylacetamide] was synthesized by solvothermal methods and characterized by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. The results of X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complex 1 has an unusual 3D architecture with the (3,6)‐connected rutile ( rtl ) topology. The adsorption behavior shows that compound 1 exhibits selective adsorptions of CO₂ over N₂ after the removal of the solvent molecules within the pores.     

2D Oligosilyl Metal–Organic Frameworks as Multi‐state Switchable Materials

We report the synthesis of a set of 2D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed with organosilicon‐based linkers. These oligosilyl MOFs feature linear Si_nMe_2n(C₆H₄CO₂H)₂ ligands (lin‐Si_n, n=2, 4) connected by Cu paddlewheels. The stacking arrangement of the 2D sheets is dictated by van der Waals interactions and is tunable by solvent exchange, leading to reversible structural transformations between many crystalline and amorphous phases.     

Nitrogen‐Rich Alkali Metal Salts (Na and K) of [Bis(N,N‐bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)amine)‐zinc(II)] Anion: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Energetic Properties

Two nitrogen‐rich alkali metal salts based on nitrogen‐rich anion [Zn(bta)₂]^2–: {[Na₂Zn(bta)₂(H₂O)₈] · H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and {[K₂Zn(bta)₂(H₂O)₄]}_n ( 2 ) were synthesized by reactions of alkali hydroxide, N,N‐bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)amine (H₂bta), and zinc chloride in aqueous solutions. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by low temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and fully characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The structures demonstrate that an infinite 1‐dimensional (1D) chain structure is constructed by Na⁺ ions and bridging water molecules in compound 1 , which is connected by extensive hydrogen bonds forming a complex 3D network, whereas compound 2 features a more complicated 3D metal‐organic framework (MOF). The thermal behaviors of 1 and 2 were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The DSC results illustrate that both compounds exhibit high thermal stabilities (decomposition temperature > 345 °C). In addition, the heats of formation were calculated on the basis of the experimental constant‐volume energies of combustion measured by using bomb calorimetry. Lastly, the sensitivities towards impact and friction were assessed according to Bundesamt für Materialforschung (BAM) standard methods.     

The Direct Electron Transfer of Iron‐containing Metal Organic Frameworks (Mil‐100) and Its Catalysis for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Room‐Temperature Alkaline Media on a Glass Carbon Electrode

The most common electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are platinum‐based ones. This work demonstrates the performance of iron‐containing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as non‐platinum‐based nano‐electrocatalysts for ORR in an alkaline medium. As a new non‐platinum catalyst to achieve the active sites for the ORR, Mil‐100 (Fe) nanoparticles were used in aqueous KOH by the rotating‐disk electrode method. The main objectives of this study are the investigations on the electron transfer number (n ), Tafel slope, and catalytic performance. The particles size of the obtained powders is in the nanoscale range (approximately 25 nm). The electron transfer number for the ORR on the surface of iron‐containing catalyst is approximately 4, and the Tafel slope of diffusion‐corrected kinetic current density is ~50.7 mV per decade at low overpotential. This work might extend a new non‐precious‐metal catalyst structure for ORR for use in low‐temperature fuel cells.     

Thiophene,Selenophene, and Tellurophene‐based Three‐Dimensional Organic Frameworks

3D frameworks are important because of their potential to combine the advantageous properties of porous materials with those associated with polymers. A series of novel 3D aromatic frameworks are presented that incorporate the heterocycles thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene. The specific surface area and pore width of frameworks depends on the element that is used to build the framework. Optoelectronic properties are element‐dependent, with heavy atoms red‐shifting the optical properties and decreasing the energy gap of the solid. The metalloid nature of tellurophene allows the properties of this material to be tuned based on its oxidation state, even as an insoluble solid. The incorporation of the optoelectronic active thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene units and the effect that they have on properties was studied. A supercapcitor device was fabricated using these frameworks, showing that these 3D frameworks are promising for optoelectronic uses.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Photoluminescence of Lanthanide Metal‐organic Frameworks,Constructed from Triangular 4,4′,4″‐s‐triazine‐1,3,5‐triyl‐p‐aminobenzoate Ligands

Eight isomorphous metal‐organic frameworks: [Ln₂(TATAB)₂(H₂O)(DMA)₆]·5H₂O (Ln = Sm ( 1 ), Eu ( 2 ), Gd ( 3 ), Tb ( 4 ), Dy ( 5 ), Er ( 6 ), Tm ( 7 ), Yb ( 8 )); TATAB = 4,4′,4″‐s‐triazine‐1,3,5‐triyl‐p‐aminobenzoate, DMA = N,N‐dimethylacetamide), were synthesized by the self‐assembly of lanthanide ions, TATAB, DMA and H₂O. Single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography reveals they are three dimensional frameworks with 2‐fold interpenetration. Solid‐state photoluminescence studies indicate ligand‐to‐metal energy transfer is more efficient for compounds 2 and 4 which exhibit intense characteristic lanthanide emissions at room temperature.     

Electroactive Metal–Organic Frameworks as Emitters for Self‐Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence in Aqueous Medium

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have limited applications in electrochemistry owing to their poor conductivity. Now, an electroactive MOF (E‐MOF) is designed as a highly crystallized electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitter in aqueous medium. The E‐MOF contains mixed ligands of hydroquinone and phenanthroline as oxidative and reductive couples, respectively. E‐MOFs demonstrate excellent performance with surface state model in both co‐reactant and annihilation ECL in aqueous medium. Compared with the individual components, E‐MOFs significantly improve the ECL emission due to the framework structure. The self‐enhanced ECL emission with high stability is realized by the accumulation of MOF cation radicals via pre‐reduction electrolysis. The self‐enhanced mechanism is theoretically identified by DFT. The mixed‐ligand E‐MOFs provide a proof of concept using molecular crystalline materials as new ECL emitters for fundamental mechanism studies.     

Efficient Separation of n‐Butene and iso‐Butene by Flexible Ultramicroporous Metal‐Organic Frameworks with Pocket‐like Cavities

Efficient separation of n‐butene (n‐C₄H₈) and iso‐butene (iso‐C₄H₈) is of significance for the upgrading of C4 olefins to high‐value end products but remains one of the major challenges in hydrocarbon purifications owing to their similar structures. Herein, we report a flexible metal‐organic framework, MnINA (INA=isonicotinate), featuring one‐dimensional pore channels with periodically large pocket‐like cavities connected by narrow bottlenecks, for the first time for efficient n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ separation. MnINA with smaller pore size (4.62 Å) compared with CuINA (4.84 Å), exhibits steep adsorption isotherms and high capacity of 1.79 mmol g^?1 for n‐C₄H₈ (4.46 Å) through strong host‐guest interactions via C?H???π bonding. The narrow bottlenecks exert barriers for the large molecules of iso‐C₄H₈ (4.84 Å) within the gate‐opening pressure range of 0–0.1 bar. This gives rise to MnINA with excellent separation selectivity of 327.7 for n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ mixture. The adsorption mechanism for n‐C₄H₈ and the gate‐opening effect were investigated by dispersion‐corrected density functional (DFT‐D) theory, verifying the strong interactions between n‐C₄H₈ and the frameworks as well as the gate‐opening effect derived from the rotation of organic linkers. The breakthrough tests confirmed MnINA and CuINA can be promising candidates for n‐/iso‐C₄H₈ separation.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic Properties of Two Cobalt(II) Metal‐Organic Frameworks Based on Y‐shaped 3,5,4′‐Azobenzenetricarboxylic Acid and Different N‐donor Ligands

Two metal‐organic frameworks, [Co₂(ABTC)(bimh)(OH)] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Co₃(ABTC)₂(dimb)₄]_n ( 2 ) [H₃ABTC = 3,4′,5‐azobenzenetricarboxylic acid, bimh = 1,1′‐(1,4‐hexanediy)bis(imidazole), dimb = 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene], were prepared under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. Complex 1 demonstrates a complicated 3D (3,8)‐connected tfz‐d net with (4³)₂(4⁶.6¹⁷.8⁵) topology. The framework of 2 can be classified as a rare 3D (3,6,6)‐connected net with the Schäfli symbol of (4.6²)₂(4².6¹⁰.8³)(4⁴.6¹⁰.8), and exhibits an intriguing self‐penetrating motif. Meanwhile, the thermal stabilities and magnetic properties for 1 and 2 were also probed.     

Evaluation of metal‐organic framework 5 as a new SPE material for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental waters

Metal‐organic frameworks, a new class of materials with high surface area and great porosity, have been widely applied in gas sorption. It is generally known that metal‐organic framework 5 cannot be applied in aqueous phase since it is water sensitive. However, this work reveals that the derived material of metal‐organic framework 5 is a good SPE sorbent that can be applied to aqueous phases. Metal‐organic framework 5 was prepared and used as a SPE sorbent for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental matrices coupling with HPLC. The water treatment induced changes in the properties were investigated in detail. Even though metal‐organic framework 5 is conversed to a second phase after water treatment, it still shows high extraction ability. Under the optimized experimental conditions, good sensitivity levels were achieved with low LODs ranging from 0.4 to 4.0 ng L^?1 and a linearity of 0.004–20 μg L^?1 (R² > 0.996) for the investigated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The method has been validated in the analysis of real water samples with recoveries in the range of 80.2–120.2% and RSDs in the range of 0.5–11.7%.     

Polymer‐based monolithic column with incorporated chiral metal–organic framework for enantioseparation of methyl phenyl sulfoxide using nano‐liquid chromatography

A new approach to the preparation of enantioselective porous polymer monolithic columns with incorporated chiral metal–organic framework for nano‐liquid chromatography has been developed. While no enantioseparation was achieved with monolithic poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) column, excellent separations of both enantiomers of (±)‐methyl phenyl sulfoxide were achieved with its counterpart prepared after admixing metal–organic framework [Zn₂(benzene dicarboxylate)(l‐lactic acid)(dmf)], which is synthesized from zinc nitrate, l ‐lactic acid, and benzene dicarboxylic acid in the polymerization mixture. These novel monolithic columns combined selectivity of the chiral framework with the excellent hydrodynamic properties of polymer monoliths, may provide a great impact on future studies in the field of chiral analysis by liquid chromatography.     

Metal Oxide‐Coated Three‐Dimensional Graphene Prepared by the Use of Metal–Organic Frameworks as Precursors

A simple method for the preparation of metal‐oxide‐coated three‐dimensional (3D) graphene composites was developed. The metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that served as the precursors of the metal oxides were first synthesized on the 3D graphene networks (3DGNs). The desired metal oxide/3DGN composites were then obtained by a two‐step annealing process. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the obtained ZnO/3DGN and Fe₂O₃/3DGN materials were used in a photocatalytic reaction and a lithium‐ion battery, respectively. We believe this method could be extended to the synthesis of other metal oxide/3DGN composites with 3D structures simply through the appropriate choice of specific MOFs as precursors.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Luminescent Properties of Two Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) 3D Metal‐­Organic Frameworks

Two zinc(II) and cadmium(II) metal‐organic frameworks with mixed ligands, {[Zn₂(biim‐4)₂(TDC)₂] · 2.5H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and {[Cd₂(biim‐4)₂(TDC)₂ · 2H₂O]}_n ( 2 ) [biim‐4 = 1,1′‐(1,4‐butanediyl)bis(imidazole); H₂TDC = thiophene‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid], were hydrothermally synthesized. Both of them are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. In 1 , the four‐connected Zn^II nodes are connected by four linear ligands extending into a 3D network, which further integrates a fivefold interpenetrating diamond 3D topological network and the free water molecules distribute in void space, whereas in 2 , the Cd^II ions are in a distorted octahedral arrangement linked by TDC^2– and biim‐4 ligands to construct a 3D framework. In topology analysis, C11 and C14 are simplified as 3‐connected nodes and the 3D framework displays a (3,5)‐connected net. Furthermore, the thermal and photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 were also studied.     

The Road to MOF‐Related Functional Materials and Beyond: Desire,Design, Decoration,and Development

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), which are known as a class of porous coordination polymers, have proven to be of great significance to manifold applications, owing to their fascinating topology, ultrahigh porosity, enormous internal surface area, and the combination of being as rigid as inorganic materials and as flexible as organic materials . In this review, we give a concise history of the development of MOFs as functional materials prior to our entry into this area in 2006, then a summary of our road to participate in and extend the outline of the research in MOFs chemistry, as well as the challenge in further designing applicable functional materials. We describe not only the road of evolution from the past, present, and future of this chemistry, but also the road to finalize a functional material from the desire to the design, synthesis, and postmodification of a MOF. Throughout the review, we particularly emphasize the improvements in the application of MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts, such as employing MOFs as one component for the construction of composites, and their extended scope in tough catalytic reactions. Examples of applications in gas storage and separation, small molecular sensing, and our perspectives for future applications triggered by MOFs, are also introduced.