Cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks as templates for ordered polymerisation of polyaniline in supercapacitors with enhanced electrochemical performance

A cyclodextrin metal-organic framework (CD-MOF) was used as a synthesis template to guide the ordered polymerisation of polyaniline (PANI). The resulting PANI/CD-MOF composites (PM) were successfully prepared via interfacial polymerisation, with their structure and properties regulated by adjusting the concentrations of aniline and CD-MOF. The electrochemical performance of PM was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experimental results demonstrated that the material exhibited excellent electrochemical performance in supercapacitors. Specifically, when the aniline concentration was 0.04 mol/L, PM-0.04 achieved a capacitance of 628.8 F/g at 1 A/g. Furthermore, a symmetric supercapacitor assembled with PM-0.04 exhibited a specific capacitance of 119.4 F/g at 1 A/g, along with good cycling stability at 5 A/g. These results demonstrate the potential of CD-MOF-based composites in enhancing the performance of supercapacitors, offering high specific capacitance, good cycling stability, and rapid charge–discharge capability.