One-step growth of RuNi-MOF nanoarrays on carbon felt host as a high-performance binder-free electrode for dual application: Ethanol fuel cell and supercapacitor

The future perspective is to develop high-efficient catalysts in next-generation energy technologies. Metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) offer a high degree of design flexibility which plays an important role as electrocatalysts. However, poor stability and low conductivity of MOFs are challenging to favorable electrocatalytic activity. Accordingly, a new and efficiently bimetallic RuNi-MOF is fabricated by in-situ growth of 3D nanoscale of MOFs on a 3D network of carbon felt (CF) to enhance the practical applicability of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) and supercapacitors (SCs). The RuNi-MOF/CF displays remarkable performance for SCs (the high specific capacitance of 1173.7 mF cm-2 (810.8 F g-1) at 6 mA cm-2, a high energy density of 145.9 Wh kg-1 and a power density of 6 kW kg-1 with cyclic retention of 95 %) and as an anode in DEFCs (peak current density of 84.6 mA cm-2 and power density of 70.2 mW cm-2 at 60 degrees C). The electron/ion transport ability and electrocatalytic performance of RuNi-MOF are enhanced due to the incorporation of Ru about 1.0 %. The success is attributed to the synergistic effects between Ru, Ni, and conductive CF. This work highlights a new understanding of using high-performance materials to improve electrocatalytic activity.