Polypyrrole decorated MOFs as supercapacitors

The idea behind our collaboration would be the novel synthesis of new electrode materials created from a hybrid of three key components. This being a system of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), decorated with conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) and then layered onto a flexible carbon scaffold. The MOFs will provide a template for the PPy to affix themselves to, thus boosting the conductivity of the MOF, which provides excellent surface area for reactivity to the hybrid. The resulting electrode will borrow the porosity and mechanical stability of the MOFs, and high electrical conductivity and capacitance from the carbon/CP. The first stage of my stay would involve me learning as much as I can about the field of MOFs. Once I have synthesized my own MOFs, I would apply my own research to functionalize them with carbon/CP materials. Dr. Xiao’s lab is very well equipped for material characterization, including electron microscopy and various spectroscopic methods. This would allow me to note each unique feature of the various samples I hope to make. The third stage would find me back at UNB, where our own lab is well equipped for electrochemical testing. TO BE CON’T

Faculty Supervisor:

Anna Ignaszak

Student:

Partner:

Queen’s University Belfast

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program: