Supercapacitors have garnered considerable attention as next-generation energy storage systems due to their high-power density, rapid charge-discharge kinetics, and long operational lifespan. In this study, we report the design and development of a nitrogen-doped activated borane (ActB), a porous borane cluster-based network, synthesized through the controlled cothermolysis of arachno-B9H13(NEt3) and [Et3NH][nido-B11H14] in toluene. The resulting polymeric materials integrate electron-rich nitrogen sites with the unique 3D boron cluster architecture, offering a synergistic platform for enhanced electrochemical performance. Electrochemical evaluation in a three-electrode system revealed a high specific capacitance of 607 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1, with remarkable cycling stability, retaining 95% of the initial capacitance after 15,000 charge-discharge cycles. When configured into an asymmetric supercapacitor device using activated carbon as the negative electrode, the system achieved a specific capacitance of 354 F g-1, along with an energy density of 25.6 Wh kg-1 and a power density of 486.2 W kg-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1. The device also demonstrated long-term reliability, retaining 88% of its initial capacitance after 15,000 cycles. The outstanding performance is attributed to the integration of redox-active nitrogen functionalities and the inherent stability and tunability of the borane-based framework. This work establishes nitrogen-doped borane cluster polymers as a promising new class of electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors and broader electrochemical energy storage applications.

Department of Materials Chemistry Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Řež Czech Republic

Department of Structural Analysis Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering National Central University Tao Yuan City Taiwan

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