Fabrication of Ordered Macro-Microporous Single-Crystalline MOF and Its Derivative Carbon Material for Supercapacitor

Because of their good performance in diffusion-limited processes, ordered macro-microporous single-crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have potential for use in various fields. However, there are still very few reports of the synthesis of such MOFs. A general synthesis methodology for ordered macro-microporous single-crystalline MOFs is highly desired. Here, a novel strategy is reported for synthesizing single-crystalline ordered macro-microporous MOFs by monodentate-ligand-induced in situ crystallization within a 3D ordered hard template in a double-solvent system. A space-confined growth model is proposed to clarify the shaping effect of the template; the role of the monodentate ligand is also analyzed. Moreover, a carbon material derived from the macro-microporous MOF inherits the ordered interconnected macroporous structure. The improved diffusion and lower resistance, as well as the structural robustness, endow the derivative carbon material with superior rate performance and excellent cycling stability when prepared as electrodes for a supercapacitor. It is anticipated that the method will provide new paths to the synthesis of such macro-microporous materials for applications in energy-related fields and beyond.