Soft template synthesis of mesoporous Co3O4/RuO2·xH2O composites for electrochemical capacitors

Electrochemical capacitance properties of pre-sodiated manganese oxide for aqueous Na-ion supercapacitors

Mn-based oxides are widely investigated as electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors, because of their high specific capacitance in addition to the high abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness of Mn. The pre-insertion of alkali metal ions is found to improve the capacitance properties of MnO2. While the capacitance properties of MnO2, Mn2O3, P2-Na0.5MnO2, and O3-NaMnO2etc. are reported, there is no report yet on the capacitive performance of P2-Na2/3MnO2, which has already been studied as a potential positive electrode material for Na-ion batteries. In this work, we have synthesized sodiated manganese oxide, P2-Na2/3MnO2 by a hydrothermal method followed by annealing at a high temperature of about 900 °C for 12 h. For comparison, manganese oxide Mn2O3 (without pre-sodiation) is synthesized by following the same method, but annealing at 400 °C. While P2-Na2/3MnO2 exhibits a high specific capacitance of 234 F g-1, Mn2O3 can deliver only 115 F g-1 when cycled at 0.4 A g-1 in an aqueous electrolyte of 1.0 M Na2SO4 in a three-electrode cell. An asymmetric supercapacitor Na2/3MnO2‖AC is assembled, which can exhibit a SC of 37.7 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 with an energy density of 20.9 W h kg-1, based on the total weight of Na2/3MnO2 and AC with an operational voltage of 2.0 V and possesses excellent cycling stability. This asymmetric Na2/3MnO2‖AC supercapacitor can be cost-effective considering the high abundance, low-cost and environmental friendliness of Mn-based oxides and aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte.

Nanoporous metal oxide composite materials: A journey from the past, present to future

Along with the progress of porous metal oxides, the development of multi-metal oxide composite materials have received a significant attention in the last few decades owing to the interesting physical and chemical properties of the hybrid oxide nanostructures. Consequently, a large number of national and international articles, communications etc. related to these oxide composites have come to light. This review conveys a comprehensive overview of those nanoporous metal oxide composites, illustrating various synthetic pathways and formation mechanisms for composite oxides based on template and non-templated routes. Also, characteristic properties of the synthesized materials analyzed using various techniques have been discussed systematically here. Moreover, the current review will also focus on a thorough literature survey of significant potential applications of these oxide composites in different fields including catalysis, biosensing, adsorption, energy conversion, toxic chemical removal, solar cell etc. demonstrating the impact of the metal compositions, nanostructures on the performances of the materials. Finally, a brief perspective is mentioned indicating the future prospects of these porous composites. Though, the scope of this review is limited to porous metal oxide composites, the information presented here can be helpful for any researchers working in other emerging fields.

Local structure distortion induced by Ti dopants boosting the pseudocapacitance of RuO2-based supercapacitors

Binary oxides with atomic ratios of Ru/Ti = 90/10, 70/30, and 50/50 were fabricated using H2O2-oxidative precipitation with the assistance of a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) template, followed by a thermal treatment at 200 °C. The characteristics of electron structure and local structure extracted from X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that incorporation of Ti into the RuO2 lattice produces not only the local structural distortion of the RuO6 octahedra in (Ru-Ti)O2 with an increase in the central Ru-Ru distance but also a local crystallization of RuO2. Among the three binary oxides studied, (Ru70-Ti30)O2 exhibits a capacitance improvement of about 1.4-fold relative to the CTAB-modified RuO2, mainly due to the enhanced crystallinity of the distorted RuO6 structure rather than the surface area effect. Upon increasing the extent of Ti doping, the deteriorated supercapacitive performance of (Ru50-Ti50)O2 results from the formation of localized nano-clusters of TiO2 crystallites. These results provide insight into the important role of Ti doping in RuO2 that boosts the pseudocapacitive performance for RuO2-based supercapacitors. The present result is crucial for the design of new binary oxides for supercapacitor applications with extraordinary performance.

Mesoporous hexagonal Co3O4 for high performance lithium ion batteries

Mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanoplates were successfully prepared by the conversion of hexagonal β-Co(OH)₂ nanoplates. TEM, HRTEM and N₂ sorption analysis confirmed the facet crystal structure and inner mesoporous architecture. When applied as anode materials for lithium storage in lithium ion batteries, mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanocrystals delivered a high specific capacity. At 10 C current rate, as-prepared mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanoplates delivered a specific capacity of 1203 mAh/g at first cycle and after 200 cycles it can still maintain a satisfied value (330 mAh/g). From ex-situ TEM, SAED and FESEM observation, it was found that mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanoplates were reduced to Li₂O and Co during the discharge process and re-oxidised without losing the mesoporous structure during charge process. Even after 100 cycles, mesoporous Co₃O₄ crystals still preserved their pristine hexagonal shape and mesoporous nanostructure.

Chemical Synthesis of Nanostructured SrWO4 for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Applications

Nanostructured strontium tungstate was successfully synthesized by a co-precipitation method at 80°C. The structure and morphology of the obtained SrWO4 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD pattern conformed that the prepared sample has a scheelite-type tetragonal structure. The electrochemical properties of the SrWO4 were investigated in 0.5 M NaOH electrolyte solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Also, platinum have been supported onto the surface of SrWO4 /graphite electrode to use as catalyst support. The morphology of the catalysts was characterized by scanning electron microscopy analysis and EDX. The electrocatalytic activity of platinum loaded SrWO4 /graphite electrode toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been studied in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution and compared with that of platinum supported on graphite using electrochemical measurements. The PtSrWO4 /graphite catalyst showed higher ORR activity than Pt /graphite catalyst.

Enhanced rate performance of mesoporous Co(3)O(4) nanosheet supercapacitor electrodes by hydrous RuO(2) nanoparticle decoration

Mesoporous cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanosheet electrode arrays are directly grown over flexible carbon paper substrates using an economical and scalable two-step process for supercapacitor applications. The interconnected nanosheet arrays form a three-dimensional network with exceptional supercapacitor performance in standard two electrode configuration. Dramatic improvement in the rate capacity of the Co3O4 nanosheets is achieved by electrodeposition of nanocrystalline, hydrous RuO2 nanoparticles dispersed on the Co3O4 nanosheets. An optimum RuO2 electrodeposition time is found to result in the best supercapacitor performance, where the controlled morphology of the electrode provides a balance between good conductivity and efficient electrolyte access to the RuO2 nanoparticles. An excellent specific capacitance of 905 F/g at 1 A/g is obtained, and a nearly constant rate performance of 78% is achieved at current density ranging from 1 to 40 A/g. The sample could retain more than 96% of its maximum capacitance even after 5000 continuous charge-discharge cycles at a constant high current density of 10 A/g. Thicker RuO2 coating, while maintaining good conductivity, results in agglomeration, decreasing electrolyte access to active material and hence the capacitive performance.

Capacitive performance enhancements of RuO2 nanocrystals through manipulation of preferential orientation growth originated from the synergy of Pluronic F127 trapping and annealing

The capacitive performances of RuO2 prepared by oxidation precipitation of Ru precursors (RuCl3·xH2O) surrounded with tri-block co-polymer, Pluronic F127, in aqueous media can be enhanced through manipulating its preferential orientation growth of nanocrystals. From the heterogeneous surface chemistry viewpoints with the support of structure characterizations, such enhancement originates from the preferential orientation growth of the {101} facet due to the adsorption of the highly polarisable, non-ionic ligands of Pluronic F127 on the high surface energy facets on RuO2 nanocrystallites. In this case, the F127-trapped sample with annealing at 300 °C enhances the specific capacitance 1.6-fold in comparison to its counterpart without F127. With the mechanistic insight into the heterogeneous surface crystal growth pathways, our results materialize the development of RuO2 with tuneable capacitive performances. Furthermore, due to the different propagation models of RuO2 with and without F127 trapping, a schematic diagram is proposed to interpret such a unique crystal growth evolution phenomenon.

Facile synthesis of Co3O4 porous nanosheets/reduced graphene oxide composites and their excellent supercapacitor performance

Porous Co₃O₄ nanosheets/RGO composite with excellent capacitive performance was prepared through a facile two-step strategy.

Morphology-controllable synthesis of cobalt oxalates and their conversion to mesoporous Co3O4 nanostructures for application in supercapacitors

In this work, one-dimensional and layered parallel folding of cobalt oxalate nanostructures have been selectively prepared by a one-step, template-free, water-controlled precipitation approach by simply altering the solvents used at ambient temperature and pressure. Encouragingly, the feeding order of solutions played an extraordinary role in the synthesis of nanorods and nanowires. After calcination in air, the as-prepared cobalt oxalate nanostructures were converted to mesoporous Co(3)O(4) nanostructures while their original frame structures were well maintained. The phase composition, morphology, and structure of the as-obtained products were studied in detail. Electrochemical properties of the Co(3)O(4) electrodes were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements by a three-electrode system. The electrochemical experiments revealed that the layered parallel folding structure of mesoporous Co(3)O(4) exhibited higher capacitance compared to that of the nanorods and nanowires. A maximum specific capacitance of 202.5 F g (-1) has been obtained in 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte at a current density of 1 A g(-1) with a voltage window from 0 to 0.40 V. Furthermore, the specific capacitance decay after 1000 continuous charge-discharge cycles was negligible, revealing the excellent stability of the electrode. These characteristics indicate that the mesoporous Co(3)O(4) nanostructures are promising electrode materials for supercapacitors.

Preparation and Performance of Co3O4/Polyaniline Nano-Composite for Supercapacitor

Cobalt oxide-Polyaniline (Co3O4/PANI) nanocomposites were prepared via inverted emulsion polymerization. The structure of the obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and electrochemical impedance spectrometry(EIS) experiments. The Co3O4/PANI(1:2) composite calcined at 400°C exhibits the highest capacitance value of 357 F/g at the scan rate of 5mV/s.