Recently, a group of scientists have synthesised a robust novel polymeric metal-ligand complex which has shown efficient supercapacitor performance and flexible device application. The coordination polymer (Gd-DAB), which is a Lanthanide-ligand complex synthesized in an economically feasible synthesis route, paves the way for realizing a new class of affordable, durable energy devices for storage applications.
The ever-growing need for energy devices for various essential end-uses, coupled with the scarcity of potential materials, has challenged and motivated many researchers and technologists to design and develop new functional materials. Also, the material should be highly cost-effective and scalable for commercialization purposes.
To meet all the criteria, a group of researchers led by Dr. Kavita Pandey and Dr. C. V. Yelamaggad from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bangalore, an autonomous research institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have synthesised a completely novel potential two-dimensional (2D) structure with a sheet-like organisation similar to the coordination polymers (COPs).
They have synthesised it at room temperature through a straightforward, one-step protocol using the N4 donor, namely 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and gadolinium(III) nitrate.
As per the study published in the Journal of Power Sources, monitoring of electrochemical performance of the sample of the novel complex showed brilliant supercapacitor characteristics with around 100% retention even after 5000 cycles. A similar layered coordination polymer reported in the literature has shown 90% retention for 2000 – 3000 cycles [Xing et al. Journal of Molecular Structure 2021, 1246, 131193, Chen et al. Journal of Molecular Structure 2021, 130783]. Besides, the prolonged charge-discharge cycles caused a favourable change in surface morphology texture, improving overall cyclic stability.
Further, the feasibility of the newly synthesized complex as a symmetric flexible micro-supercapacitor (SFMSC) has been demonstrated under different bending angles (up to 180°) and twisting conditions. The device's high flexibility and twisting behaviour could fulfill the growing need for wearable energy storage.
Publication details: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.232801
For further details, Dr. Kavita A. Pandey (Email: kavitapandey[at]cens[dot]res[dot]in) can be contacted.
Figure: Synthesis of novel metal-ligand complex for application in highly flexible micro-supercapacitor.
Figure: CV curves of all-solid-state flexible micro-supercapacitor device measured under different bending angles (a & b) and twisting conditions (c & d).
