Porous Carbons from Nonporous MOFs: Influence of Ligand Characteristics on Intrinsic Properties of End Carbon

Synthesis of porous carbons on direct
carbonization of nonporous
Zn-based MOFs has been achieved without using any additional carbon
precursor. The effect of ligand nature on the resulting carbon porosity
has been studied systematically using the MOFs synthesized from rigid
and flexible ligands. The linear relations between Zn/C ratio of the
MOF versus surface area of the resulting carbon, microporosity versus
H2 uptake achieved in these carbons, and surface area versus
specific capacitance of the end carbons have been verified from the
gas adsorption, molecular composition, and electrochemical studies,
respectively. Cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge cycling
have been carried out to study the capacitive behavior of the carbons.
The interdependence of capacitive behavior on the surface area has
been analyzed using data derived from N2 adsorption isotherms
and charge–discharge curves. Among the carbons synthesized,
C-MOF-2 shows maximal surface area of 1378 m2/g with a
specific capacitance of 170 F/g at 1 A/g.