Metal–organic framework derived NiO/Ni@C composites as electrode materials with excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitors

In this work, metal oxide/metal@carbon (NiO/Ni@C) composites as electrode materials have been successfully prepared using the pillared Ni2(bdc)2(dabco) (bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane) as the precursor. Owing to the multiple active sites (NiO, Ni and Carbon), rich oxygen defects, and abundant Ni3+, the NiO/Ni@C composites show excellent electrochemical performance. A maximum specific capacitance of 805.3 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 576.2 F g−1 at 10 A g−1 is obtained for the NiO/Ni@C electrode material calcined at 500 °C, indicating a high rate capability. Meanwhile, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) NiO/Ni@C//PEDOT-AC (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene)-activated carbon) has a wide working voltage of 0–1.7 V, high specific energy of 20.7 W h kg−1, superior specific power of 12920 W kg−1, and excellent cycle stability with capacitance retention of 69.7% after 10 000 cycles. Furthermore, a red light-emitting diode (LED) is lighted up by two NiO/Ni@C//PEDOT-AC ASCs in series connection. [Display omitted] •MOF derived NiO/Ni@C composites with rich oxygen defects are prepared.•NiO/Ni@C-500 has the largest specific capacitance of 805.3 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1.•NiO/Ni@C//PEDOT-AC has a high specific energy of 20.7 W h kg-1.•Two ASCs in series connection are used to light up a red LED for at least 30 min.