Decoration of Zeolitic Imidazole Framework with Carbon Nano-Onions for
Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of ZIF-(67 and 8) for
Supercapacitor
Abstract
The development of affordable and sustainable nanomaterials for energy
storage is a top priority and a major focus within the global research
community. Among these, carbon nano-onions (CNOs) have emerged as a
promising material for supercapacitors due to their distinctive
morphology, high surface reactivity, and microporous structure. Zeolitic
imidazole frameworks (ZIFs), known for their vast surface area and
electrically active inorganic centers, have emerged as a potential
material for energy storage. In this context, Zeolitic imidazolate
framework (ZIF) rhombic dodecahedron is homogenously decorated with
carbon nano-onions (CNOs, size <100 nm) to form a nanocomposite
of CNOs/ ZIF (67 and 8) utilizing a simple solvothermal technique. The
samples have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction techniques, which confirms the
successful synthesis of the samples. The produced material displays a
distinct rhombic dodecahedral shape, significant porosity, and a large
specific surface area (SSA) confirmed by N 2 sorption
studies. The as-prepared samples further tested as electrode material
for supercapacitors and among them CNO/ZIF-67 nanocomposite surpasses in
terms of SSA, electron and ion transport speed, and structural
stability, leading to improved electrochemical performance. The specific
capacitance of 1064.2 F g −1 at a current density of 2
A g -1 is observed for CNO/ZIF-67 in a 1 M H
2SO 4 aqueous electrolyte in
three-electrode system. Subsequently, a symmetric supercapacitor (SSC)
is constructed to investigate the system’s capacitive behavior. Notably,
the SSC exhibited a peak device-specific capacitance of 325.40 F g
-1 at 2 A g -1, high energy density
of 24.51 Wh Kg -1, and achieved a maximum power
density of 2.4 kW kg -1. The practical functionality
of the device was demonstrated by connecting two symmetrical
supercapacitors in series, effectively powering a red LED. These results
highlight new opportunities for structural engineering in carbon
nano-onion and metal-organic framework-based electrode materials, paving
the way for advancements in future energy storage technologies.