To investigate the relationship between the structures
of polyoxometalate
host–guest materials and their energy-storage performance,
three novel polyoxometalate-based metal–organic compounds,
[Ag10(C2H2N3)8][HVW12O40], [Ag10(C2H2N3)6][SiW12O40], and [Ag(C2H2N3)][Ag12(C2H2N3)9][H2BW12O40] are synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal
method and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses
and other numerous characterization techniques. In compound [Ag10(C2H2N3)8][HVW12O40], the Keggin clusters are intersected into
channels formed by a 3D open metal–organic framework. In contrast,
in compounds [Ag10(C2H2N3)6][SiW12O40] and [Ag(C2H2N3)][Ag12(C2H2N3)9][H2BW12O40], the Keggin clusters are encapsulated into silver-triazole metal–organic
nanocages to construct core–shell structures, which are further
fused together by covalent bonds to form 3D polyoxometalate-based
metal–organic frameworks. The electrochemical properties of
three compound-based electrodes are estimated by cyclic voltammetry,
galvanostatic charge–discharge, electrochemically active surface
area, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of the
electrochemical performance tests indicate that these compounds possess
high specific capacitance and cycling stability, especially [Ag10(C2H2N3)8][HVW12O40], showing a specific capacitance of 93.5 F
g–1, which is higher than that of many other polyoxometalate-based
electrode materials. A possible mechanism of the electrochemical performance
is explored, which is mainly related to the redox capacity of polyoxometalate,
the electrochemically active surface area, the electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy, and the microstructures of polyoxometalate-based metal–organic
frameworks.