Cu-based MOF-derived architecture with Cu/Cu2O nanospheres anchored on porous carbon nanosheets for efficient capacitive deionization

The design of high-performance electrode materials with excellent desalination ability has always been a research goal for efficient capacitive deionization (CDI). Herein, a hybrid architecture with Cu/Cu2O nanospheres anchored on porous carbon nanosheets (Cu/Cu2O/C) was first synthesized by pyrolyzing a twodimensional (2D) Cu-based metal-organic framework and then evaluated as a cathode for hybrid CDI. The asprepared Cu/Cu2O/C exhibits a hierarchically porous structure with a high specific surface area of 305 m(2) g(-1) and large pore volume of 0.55 cm(3) g(-1), which is favorable to accelerating ion migration and diffusion. The porous carbon nanosheet matrix with enhanced conductivity will facilitate the Faradaic reactions of Cu/Cu2O nanospheres during the desalination process. The Cu/Cu2O/C hybrid architecture displays a high specific capacitance of 142.5 F g(-1) at a scan rate of 2 mV s(-1) in 1 M NaCl solution. The hybrid CDI constructed using the Cu/Cu2O/C cathode and a commercial activated carbon anode exhibits a high desalination capacity of 16.4 mg g(-1) at an operation voltage of 1.2 V in 500 mg L-1 NaCl solution. Additionally, the hybrid CDI exhibits a good cycling stability with 18.3% decay in the desalination capacity after 20 electrosorption-desorption cycles. Thus, the Cu/Cu2O/C composite is expected to be a promising cathode material for hybrid CDI.

Automated summary

The design of a high-performance electrode material, Cu/Cu2O/C, consisting of Cu/Cu2O nanospheres anchored on porous carbon nanosheets, has been developed for efficient capacitive deionization (CDI). The hybrid architecture exhibits a hierarchically porous structure with a high specific surface area and large pore volume, favoring ion migration and diffusion. The Cu/Cu2O/C hybrid architecture shows a high specific capacitance and desalination capacity, as well as good cycling stability, making it a promising cathode material for CDI.