Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are network-like frameworks composed of transition metals and organic ligands containing oxygen or nitrogen. Because of its highly controllable composition and ordered porous structure, it has broad application prospects in the field of material synthesis. In this work, Zn4( PYDC)4(DMF)2∙3DMF (ZPD) was synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Self-doped nitrogen porous carbon ZPDC-T was then prepared by one-step carbonization. The results show that the self-doped nitrogen porous carbon ZPDC-850 has a micro/mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 1520 m2 g− 1 and a nitrogen content of 6.47%. When a current density is 1.0 A g− 1, its specific capacitance is 265.1 F g− 1. After 5000 times of constant current charging and discharging, the capacitance retention rate was 79.2%. Thus, self-doped nitrogen porous carbon ZPDC-850 exhibits excellent electrochemical properties and good cyclic stability. Therefore, the self-doped nitrogen porous carbon derived from MOFs can be a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.

    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Preparation of Zn4(PDC)4(DMF)2∙3DMF
        2.2 Preparation of self-doped nitrogen porous carbon ZPDC-T
        2.3 Structural characterization
        2.4 Preparation of working electrode
        2.5 Electrochemical performance measurements
    3 Results and discussions
        3.1 Phase analysis
        3.2 Microstructure
        3.3 Surface composition analysis
        3.4 Electrochemical properties
    4 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Dongqiang Zhang(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)
• Chi Zhang(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)
• Qian Wang(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)
• Shuai Li(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)
• Xia Zhao(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)
• Heming Luo(School of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology)