Core-shell hybrid zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived hierarchical carbon for capacitive deionization

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Vol. 8; no. 29; pp. 14653 - 1466
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wuxiang, Arramel, Arramel, Wong, Ping Kwan Johnny, Zhang, Lei, Zheng, Jianzhong, Zhang, Wen, Zhang, Hao, Yan, Xin, Qi, Junwen, Li, Jiansheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Carbon; Deionization; Dopamine; Etching; Fabrication; Metal-organic frameworks; Polymerization; Polyvinyl pyrrolidone; Pyrolysis; Zeolites; Zinc
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta05709f

We introduce a viable strategy for the fabrication of core-shell ZIF-8@PVP-PDA/Zn by in situ 2-methylimidazole-assisted dopamine self-polymerization. The role of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) towards ZIF-8@PVP-PDA/Zn formation is systematically demonstrated. In particular, 2-MI not only is employed as the organic ligand for ZIF-8 but also provides an alkaline environment for the polymerization of dopamine. Moreover, it also protects the ZIF-8 structure from etching. After pyrolysis, the ZIF-8@PVP-PDA/Zn is converted into ant-nest-like hierarchical carbon (ANHC), which has a wide pore distribution, high pore volume (2.35 cm 3 g −1 ) and high nitrogen (7.12%) content. Superior capacitive deionization (CDI) performance (25.4 mg g −1 ) and stable electrosorption cycles of ANHC are achieved, which demonstrates its potential for CDI applications. We introduce a viable strategy for the fabrication of core-shell ZIF-8@PVP-PDA/Zn by in situ 2-methylimidazole-assisted dopamine self-polymerization.