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. Metal-organic 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 °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.