Topotactic transformation of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks into high-performance battery type electrodes for supercapattery application

Abstract

Supercapacitors (SCs) are well recognized for their excessive power output and cycling stability, but they often suffer from limited energy density. A promising solution to this challenge is the hybrid supercapattery (HSC) concept, which integrates two different electrodes with disparate charge-storage systems to provide energy and power. In this work, transition-metal phosphides (TMPs), specifically a Cu-doped cobalt phosphide wrapped with an N-doped porous carbon network (CCP-NPC), were used as positive electrode materials in HSCs. With a specific capacitance of 5.99 F cm⁻² and a capacitance retention of 87% after 10 000 cycles, the extremely active CCP-5-NPC (5% Cu-doped cobalt phosphide wrapped with an N-doped porous carbon network) exhibits numerous redox sites. The unique structure of CCP-5-NPC, characterized by its cubical shape, coarse surface, and porous structure, greatly enhances the electrochemically active sites (EAS) and specific surface areas (SSA) of the electrode material, facilitating efficient charge transfer kinetics for ions and electrons in HSCs. The potential hybrid supercapattery (CCP-5-NPC||r-GO device) also demonstrated a higher energy density of 0.563 mW h cm⁻² at a power density of 4.8 mW cm⁻² at 3 mA cm⁻² and a cyclic stability of 87.7% after 10 000 cycles. This work provides a basis for the development of highly efficient HSCs in the future by topotactically converting extremely porous materials into energy storage devices.