Carbon Nanosphere-Decorated Porous Cobalt MOF Nanoclusters with Enhanced Current-Voltage Characteristics

Abstract:

A new set of nanocrystals of carbon nanospheres (5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) were synthesized and were anchored to cobalt based metal-organic frameworks (Co-MOFs). They were synthesized using the organic linker, 4-{[(1E)-1-hydroxy-3-oxoprop-1-en-2-yl]sulfanyl}benzoic acid (4-HSPBA) via solvothermal synthesis. The synthesized materials were characterized for structural and morphological properties by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The electrochemical characteristics of the obtained Co-MOFs and carbon nanosphere-contained Co-MOF nanocomposites were investigated comprehensively by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The EIS tests revealed the characteristic current-voltage properties of pristine Co-MOFs and carbon nanosphere-doped Co-MOFs. While the undoped Co-MOF exhibited nearly linear current-voltage behavior, introduction of carbon nanospheres at increasing concentrations (5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 15 wt.%) resulted in very high non-linearity in the current-voltage response. The reason for non-linearity is a synergistic effect between carbon nanospheres and the Co-MOF matrix, which greatly influences the transport pathways for charges and enhances electrical conductivity. Further, morphological analysis confirmed the formation of heterostructured architectures with spherical shapes of uniform nature irrespective of doping level. The findings reveal the carbon nanosphere-modified Co-MOFs as promising electrode materials for supercapacitors with improved electrochemical attributes. Besides energy storage applications, the nanostructured materials are poised to revolutionize photonics, optoelectronics, and other emerging next-generation energy-related technologies.

• Periodical: Nano Hybrids and Composites (Volume 47)
• Pages: 41-55
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-KNME5x
• Online since: October 2025
• Authors: Akshata Dudhani, Santosh Nandi*, Sateesh Hosmane, Praveen Barmavatu, S.S. Kerur, Abdullah Yahya Abdullah Alzahrani
• Keywords: Carbon Nanosphere, Co-MOFs, Current-Voltage, Metal Organic Framework, Nanocrystals, Solvothermal Method

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