Synthesis of copper benzene-1, 3, 5-tricarboxylate metal organic frameworks with mixed phases as the electrode material for supercapacitor applications

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.11.271
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02T03:17:32Z
• Authors: Rajendran Ramacha...; Changhui Zhao; Dan Luo; Kai Wang; Fei Wang
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

Abstract Copper benzene@1, 3, 5-tricarboxylate (Cu@BTC) metal organic frameworks with two mixed phases (Cu3(BTC)2∙3H2O + {[Cu(BTC-H2)2∙(H2O2]∙3H2O}) are synthesized in water solvent at different temperatures. The crystalline nature, porosity and morphology of prepared products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface analyzer and transmission electron microscope, respectively. The formation mechanism of these two mixed phases has been proposed, and the electrochemical measurements of the Cu@BTC MOFs are carried out for electrode material of supercapacitors. The Cu@BTC-120 electrode shows significant enhancement of specific capacitance compared with other Cu@BTC electrodes. A maximum specific capacitance of 228 F g−1 has been obtained at a current density of 1.5 A g−1 and long cyclic stability up to 3000 cycles with capacitance retention of ∼89.7% has been achieved for Cu@BTC-120 electrode. The fast transportation of the electrolyte ions in substantial voids space between octahedral micro-crystals (Cu3(BTC)2∙3H2O) and micro-rods ({[Cu(BTC-H2)2∙(H2O2]∙3H2O}) of Cu@BTC-120 has greatly improved the electrochemical performance.