Synergistic enhancement of supercapacitor performance using covalent organic frameworks integrated with nitrogenated-reduced graphene oxide and polyaniline

Abstract

The demand for advanced energy storage systems has driven research into supercapacitors and supercabatteries due to their high-power density, rapid charge–discharge capabilities, and long cycle life. This study explores the synergistic enhancement of supercapacitor performance by integrating Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) with nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NrGO) wrapped with polyaniline (PANI). The unique structural and electrochemical properties of COFs provide high surface area and tunable porosity, which are critical for optimizing ion transport and charge storage. Incorporating nitrogen into the rGO lattice improves electrical conductivity and enhances electrochemical performance by providing additional active sites for charge storage. The resulting composite exhibits a hierarchical structure that facilitates efficient ion diffusion and enhances capacitance. Electrochemical characterization was conducted using CV, GCD, and EIS. The electrochemical performance of the PANI-COF/NrGO composite demonstrated battery-type behaviour with a significantly increased specific capacity of 409 C g⁻¹ at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹ in CV and 410 C g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹ in GCD. Moreover, the full cell (two electrode system) analysis of PANI-COF/NrGO composite revealed an energy density of 9.2 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 300 W kg⁻¹, with a 60% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles, indicating excellent durability. This study provides valuable insights into the design of high-performance supercapacitors by utilizing the synergistic effects of COFs, NrGO, and PANI. The findings highlight the potential of the PANI-COF/NrGO composite material for applications in energy storage devices, paving the way for future developments in sustainable energy solutions.