Post-Synthetic Modification of Covalent Organic Frameworks via in Situ Polymerization of Aniline for Enhanced Capacitive Energy Storage
<div> <p>Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with layered architecture with open nanochannels and high specific surface areas are promising candidates for energy storage. However, the low electrical conductivity of two-dimensional COFs often limits their scope in energy storage applications. The conductivity of COFs can be enhanced through post-synthetic modification with conducting polymers. Herein, we developed polyaniline (PANI) modified triazine-based COFs via <i>in situ</i> polymerization of aniline with the porous frameworks. The composite materials showed high conductivity of 1.4-1.9 x 10<sup>-2</sup> S cm<sup>-1</sup> at room temperature with 10-fold enhancement in specific capacitance than the pristine frameworks. The fabricated supercapacitor exhibited a high energy density of 24.4 W h kg<sup>-1</sup> and a power density of 200 W kg<sup>-1</sup> at 0.5 A g<sup>-1 </sup>current density. Moreover, the device fabricated using the conducting polymer-triazine COF composite can light up a green light-emitting diode for 1 min after being charged for 10 s.</p></div>