Matrimid/MOP-18 Derived Composite Material for High-Energy Aqueous Hybrid Supercapacitor (HSC) Electrodes

The necessity for substantial advancements in electrical energy storage systems is underscored by the increasing demand driven by the extensive integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, the growing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles, and the escalating safety requirements. Supercapacitors, characterized by their high-power density, inherently superior safety features, and longer cycle life compared to other energy storage systems, are poised to meet these escalating expectations. In this research, an in situ dispersion of Metal-Organic Polyhedra (MOP)-18 in Matrimid is employed to construct a hybrid supercapacitor electrode with enhanced redox activity and improved electrical conductivity. A uniform solution of Matrimid and MOP-18 was electrospun, subsequently carbonized, and activated with CO 2 to yield Cu/Cu 2 O decorated carbon fiber electrode materials. The remarkable solubility of MOP-18 was leveraged to ensure the even dispersion of nanoparticles. The thermally decomposable porous structure of MOP-18 augmented the surface area and electrolyte accessibility of the fabricated electrode. Conversely, Matrimid provided a highly conductive free-standing carbon for the electrode. The amalgamation of these factors culminated in a notable enhancement in capacitance and energy density in a 6 M KOH electrolyte solution. The synthesized composite material achieved a peak capacitance of 253 Fg -1 and an energy density of 12.5 Whkg -1 at a current density of 1 Ag -1 . The materials, methods, and techniques employed in the study can be readily scaled up industrially without significant alterations. As illustrated in the study, the use of soluble metal-organic structures to deliver redox-active materials in highly conductive carbon can result in composite electrode materials with synergistic properties. Figure 1