Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
have attracted great attention
as templates for preparation of functional porous materials owing
to their adjustable structures, rich porosity, and controllable components.
However, collapsed templates during the conversion process hinder
their application and synthesis of derivatives. In this study, we
demonstrate a novel two-step etching strategy during which amorphous
MOF microspheres are initially transformed into nickel hydroxide and
then subsequently transformed into microspherical nickel phosphates.
Through this strategy, the prepared nickel phosphates maintain the
microspherical morphology of MOFs but with no MOF residuals, exhibiting
ultrahigh specific surface area, uniform pore size, and good structural
robustness. Examined as a supercapacitor electrode, they show an outstanding
specific capacity of 820 C g–1 at 0.5 A g–1 and remarkable cycling stability of 88% capacity retention after
10 000 cycles. Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor constructed
utilizing reduced graphene cross-linked with p-phenylenediamine
oxide (PPD-rGO) as the cathode displays a preeminent energy density
of 64.56 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 507 W kg–1. This strategy has important significance in guiding
the preparation of high-performance MOF-derived electrodes.