One-pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of RGO/FeS Composite on Fe Foil for High Performance Supercapacitors

Powering the Future by Iron Sulfide Type Material (FexSy) Based Electrochemical Materials for Water Splitting and Energy Storage Applications: A Review

Water electrolysis is among the recent alternatives for generating clean fuels (hydrogen). It is an efficient way to produce pure hydrogen at a rapid pace with no unwanted by-products. Effective and cheap water-splitting electrocatalysts with enhanced activity, specificity, and stability are currently widely studied. In this regard, noble metal-free transition metal-based catalysts are of high interest. Iron sulfide (FeS) is one of the essential electrocatalysts for water splitting because of its unique structural and electrochemical features. This article discusses the significance of FeS and its nanocomposites as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and overall water splitting. FeS and its nanocomposites have been studied also for energy storage in the form of electrode materials in supercapacitors and lithium- (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The structural and electrochemical characteristics of FeS and its nanocomposites, as well as the synthesis processes, are discussed in this work. This discussion correlates these features with the requirements for electrocatalysts in overall water splitting and its associated reactions. As a result, this study provides a road map for researchers seeking economically viable, environmentally friendly, and efficient electrochemical materials in the fields of green energy production and storage.

Iron Sulfide Microspheres Supported on Cellulose-Carbon Nanotube Conductive Flexible Film as an Electrode Material for Aqueous-Based Symmetric Supercapacitors with High Voltage

Nanostructured iron disulfide (FeS2) was uniformly deposited on regenerated cellulose (RC) and oxidized carbon nanotube (CNT)-based composite films using a simple chemical bath deposition method to form RC/CNT/FeS2 composite films. The RC/CNT composite film served as an ideal substrate for the homogeneous deposition of FeS2 microspheres due to its unique porous architecture, large specific surface area, and high conductivity. Polypyrrole (PPy), a conductive polymer, was coated on the RC/CNT/FeS2 composite to improve its conductivity and cycling stability. Due to the synergistic effect of FeS2 with high redox activity and PPy with high stability and conductivity, the RC/CNT/FeS2/PPy composite electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. The RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 composite electrode tested with Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte could achieve an excellent areal capacitance of 6543.8 mF cm-2 at a current density of 1 mA cm-2. The electrode retained 91.1% of its original capacitance after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the ion transfer channels with a pore diameter of 5-30 μm were formed in the RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 film after a 10,000 cycle test. A symmetrical supercapacitor device composed of two identical pieces of RC/CNT/0.3FeS2/PPy-60 composite electrodes provided a high areal capacitance of 1280 mF cm-2, a maximum energy density of 329 μWh cm-2, a maximum power density of 24.9 mW cm-2, and 86.2% of capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 40 mA cm-2 when tested at a wide voltage window of 1.4 V. These results demonstrate the greatest potential of RC/CNT/FeS2/PPy composite electrodes for the fabrication of high-performance symmetric supercapacitors with high operating voltages.

Composite of CoS1.97 nanoparticles decorated CuS hollow cubes with rGO as thin film electrode for high-performance all solid flexible supercapacitors

Stretchable flexible thin-film electrodes are extensively explored for developing new wearable energy storage devices. However, traditional carbon-based materials used in such independent electrodes have limited practical applications owing to their low energy storage capacity and energy density. To address this, a unique structure and remarkable mechanical stability thin-film flexible positive electrode comprising CoS1.97 nanoparticles decorated hollow CuS cubes and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), hereinafter referred to as CCSrGO, is prepared. Transition metal sulfide CoS1.97 and CuS shows high energy density owing to the synergistic effects of its active components. The electrode can simultaneously meet the high-energy density and safety requirements of new wearable energy storage devices. The electrode has excellent electrochemical performance (1380 F/g at 1 A/g) and ideal capacitance retention (93.8 % after 10,000 cycles) owing to its unique three-dimensional hollow structure and polymetallic synergies between copper and cobalt elements, which are attributed to their different energy storage mechanisms. Furthermore, a flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (FASC) was constructed using CCSrGO as the positive electrode and rGO as the negative electrode (CCSrGO//rGO), which delivers an energy density of 100 Wh kg-1 and a corresponding power density of 2663 W kg-1 within a voltage window of 0-1.5 V. The resulting FASC can power a light-emitting diode (LED) at different bending and twisting angles, exerting little effect on the capacitance. Therefore, the prepared CCSrGO//rGO FASC devices show great application prospects in energy storage.

Bi Nanosheets on Porous Carbon Cloth Composites for Ultrastable Flexible Nickel-Bismuth Batteries

The use of bismuth (Bi) as an anode material in nickel-metal batteries has gained significant attention due to its highly reversible redox reaction and suitable operating conditions. However, the cycling stability and flexibility of nickel-bismuth (Ni//Bi) batteries need to be further improved. This paper employs a facile electrodeposition technique to prepare Bi nanosheets uniformly grown on a porous carbon cloth (PCC), denoted as Bi-PCC electrodes. The Bi-PCC electrode portrays a specific surface area and good wettability that enable fast charge transfer and ion transport channels. Consequently, the Bi-PCC electrode demonstrates a high specific capacity of up to 297.1 mAh g^-1 at 2 A g^-1, with a capacity retention of up to 71.5% at 2-40 A g^-1 and an impressive capacity retention of 79.9% after 1000 cycles at 2-40 A g^-1. More importantly, the flexible rechargeable Ni//Bi battery (denoted as Ni(OH)₂-PCC//Bi-PCC) with Bi-PCC as the anode and Ni(OH)₂-PCC as the cathode has excellent electrochemical performance. The Ni(OH)₂-PCC//Bi-PCC battery boasts a remarkable capacity retention of 93.6% after 3000 cycles at 10 A g^-1. Further, the cell presents a maximum energy density of 73.1 Wh kg^-1 and an impressive power density of 11.9 kW kg^-1.

A Fe2(SO4)3-assisted approach towards green synthesis of cuttlefish ink-derived carbon nanospheres for high-performance supercapacitors

The conversion of renewable biomass resources into advanced electrode materials through green, simple, and economical methods has become an important research direction in energy storage. In this study, Fe-decorated N/S-codoped porous carbon nanospheres have been successfully fabricated from cuttlefish ink through Fe₂(SO₄)₃-assisted hydrothermal carbonization coupled with heat treatment. The effects of Fe₂(SO₄)₃ dosage on the structure, chemical composition, and capacitive property of carbon nanospheres were investigated. Herein, environmentally friendly Fe₂(SO₄)₃ plays a multifunctional role as the graphitization catalyst, dopant, and morphology-regulating agent. Benefitting from the moderate graphitization degree, great heteroatom content and hierarchical porous structure, the prepared carbon nanospheres exhibit high specific capacitance (311.9 F g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1), good rate capability (19.1% decrease in specific capacitance as current density increases from 0.5 to 10 A g^-1), and ideal cycling stability (94.3% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles). In addition, the symmetric supercapacitor assembled with the carbon nanosphere electrodes achieves an energy density of 9.7 Wh kg^-1 at a power density of 0.25 kW kg^-1 and maintains 91.3% capacitance after 10,000 cycles. The desirable electrochemical performance of cuttlefish ink-derived carbon nanosphere material makes it a potential electrode candidate for supercapacitors.

Preparation of Iron-Based Sulfides and Their Applications in Biomedical Fields

Recently, iron-based sulfides, including iron sulfide minerals and biological iron sulfide clusters, have attracted widespread interest, owing to their excellent biocompatibility and multi-functionality in biomedical applications. As such, controlled synthesized iron sulfide nanomaterials with elaborate designs, enhanced functionality and unique electronic structures show numerous advantages. Furthermore, iron sulfide clusters produced through biological metabolism are thought to possess magnetic properties and play a crucial role in balancing the concentration of iron in cells, thereby affecting ferroptosis processes. The electrons in the Fenton reaction constantly transfer between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺, participating in the production and reaction process of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This mechanism is considered to confer advantages in various biomedical fields such as the antibacterial field, tumor treatment, biosensing and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we aim to systematically introduce recent advances in common iron-based sulfides.

Freestanding Binder-Free Electrodes with Nanodisk-Needle-like MnCuCo-LTH and Mn1Fe2S2 Porous Microthorns for High-Performance Quasi-Solid-State Supercapacitors

Transition-metal-based layered triple hydroxides (LTHs) are evolving as potential positrode candidates for high-performance supercapacitors; however, their phase stabilization is still critical. Alongside, the availability of limited negatrodes pushes research toward exploring novel alternatives in order to minimize performance limitation issues in the fabricated supercapacitors. Herein, a facile strategy for stabilizing freestanding MnCuCo-LTH-based positrode possessing intermingled nanodisk-needle-like morphology is reported. Alongside, novel high-surface-area negatrodes based on Mn₁Fe₂S₂ exhibiting porous microthorn-like morphology are also optimized. MnCuCo_LTH and Mn₁Fe₂S₂ exhibit remarkably high specific capacities of ∼494 mAh g^-1 (∼2540 F g^-1) and ∼429 mAh g^-1 (∼1546 F g^-1), respectively, at 1 A g^-1. The fabricated quasi-solid-state supercapacitor equipped with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-KOH gel electrolyte displays a high specific capacity of ∼144 mAh g^-1 and a specific capacitance of ∼325 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1. The ultrahigh energy cum power traits of ∼105 Wh kg^-1 (1 A g^-1) and ∼8370 W kg^-1 (at 10 A g^-1) establish an asymmetric supercapacitor as a high-performance energy storage device. This device shows an appreciably high cycling life with a capacitance retention of ∼93% after 10 000 consecutive cycles, at 10 A g^-1. This approach provides a neoteric foresight for developing high-performance advanced energy storage devices equipped with cheaper and eco-friendly components.

2-Dimensional layered molybdenum disulfide nanosheets and CTAB-assisted molybdenum disulfide nanoflower for high performance supercapacitor application

In this study, the supercapacitor performance of the hydrothermal synthesized molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets and the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted MoS₂ nanoflower morphology have been investigated. The as-synthesized MoS₂ nanoflower and nanosheet morphology structures were investigated via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and the internal microstructure was examined via high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) technique. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were obtained to identify the chemical interaction and the functional groups present in the material. The shifting of the binding energy, oxidation states, and elemental identification were conducted by X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS). The MoS₂ nanoflower possesses surface defects, which produce numerous active sites. The MoS₂ nanoflower and nanosheet electrodes demonstrate the high specific capacitance (C _sp) values of 516 F g^-1 and 438 F g^-1, respectively, at a current density of 1 A g^-1. However, the MoS₂ nanoflower shows high C _sp due to the large surface area with active edges, making them store more energy in the electrode.

Advanced materials and technologies for supercapacitors used in energy conversion and storage: a review

Supercapacitors are increasingly used for energy conversion and storage systems in sustainable nanotechnologies. Graphite is a conventional electrode utilized in Li-ion-based batteries, yet its specific capacitance of 372 mA h g−1 is not adequate for supercapacitor applications. Interest in supercapacitors is due to their high-energy capacity, storage for a shorter period and longer lifetime. This review compares the following materials used to fabricate supercapacitors: spinel ferrites, e.g., MFe2O4, MMoO4 and MCo2O4 where M denotes a transition metal ion; perovskite oxides; transition metals sulfides; carbon materials; and conducting polymers. The application window of perovskite can be controlled by cations in sublattice sites. Cations increase the specific capacitance because cations possess large orbital valence electrons which grow the oxygen vacancies. Electrodes made of transition metal sulfides, e.g., ZnCo2S4, display a high specific capacitance of 1269 F g−1, which is four times higher than those of transition metals oxides, e.g., Zn–Co ferrite, of 296 F g−1. This is explained by the low charge-transfer resistance and the high ion diffusion rate of transition metals sulfides. Composites made of magnetic oxides or transition metal sulfides with conducting polymers or carbon materials have the highest capacitance activity and cyclic stability. This is attributed to oxygen and sulfur active sites which foster electrolyte penetration during cycling, and, in turn, create new active sites.

A reinforced concrete structure rGO/CNTs/Fe2O3/PEDOT:PSS paper electrode with excellent wettability and flexibility for supercapacitors

A paper electrode with a reinforced concrete structure using reduced rGO nanosheets, PEDOT:PSS, CNTs and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles was formed by a facile and simple vacuum drying method. The assembled symmetrical supercapacitor exhibits excellent electrochemical performance.

An efficient and stable coral-like CoFeS2 for wearable flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor applications

CoFeS2 was synthesized by an organic solvothermal method as a positive electrode for flexible asymmetric supercapacitors, which showed high specific capacitance and good stability.

Binary mixed molybdenum cobalt sulfide nanosheets decorated on rGO as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode

This work represents the production of MoS₂/CoS₂ hybridized with rGO as a material for high-performance supercapacitors. The hydrothermal method is used for the synthesis. The as-prepared material is characterized by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The size of the nanoparticles is estimated at 80 nm, and their uniform dispersion on rGO is observed from electron microscopy images. A high-specific capacitance of 190 mF cm^-2 obtains for MoS₂/CoS₂/rGO at the current density of 0.5 mA cm^-2 in 2 M KOH. The cyclic stability over 5000 cycles at a scan rate of 100 mV s^-1 shows that the MoS₂/CoS₂/rGO electrode is stable, and 88.6% of its initial capacitance sustains at the end of 5000 cycles. This excellent performance is assigned to the synergistic effect of rGO and MoS₂/CoS₂. This electrode with excellent stability and capacitance could be a potential candidate for supercapacitor electrode materials.

Configuring Optimal FeS2@Carbon Nanoreactor Anodes: Toward Insights into Pyrite Phase Change/Failure Mechanism in Rechargeable Ni-Fe Cells

Pyrite FeS₂ has long been a research focus as the alternative anode of rechargeable Ni-Fe cells owing to its eye-catching merits of great earth-abundance, attractive electrical conductivity, and output capacity. However, its further progress is impeded by unsatisfactory cyclic behaviors due to still "ill-defined" phase changes. To gain insights into the pyrite working principles/failure factors, we herein design a core-shell hybrid of a FeS₂@carbon nanoreactor, an optimal anode configuration approaching the practical usage state. The resultant electrodes exhibit a Max. specific capacity of ∼272.89 mAh g^-1 (at ∼0.81 A g^-1), remarkably improved cyclic longevity/stability (beyond ∼80% capacity retention after 10³ cycles) and superior rate capability (∼146.18 mAh g^-1 is remained at ∼20.01 A g^-1) in contrast to bare FeS₂ counterparts. The as-built Ni-Fe full cells can also output impressive specific energy/power densities of ∼87.38 Wh kg^-1/ ∼ 11.54 kW kg^-1. Moreover, a refreshed redox reaction working mechanism of "FeS₂OH ↔FeS₂↔Fe⁰_{(in pyrite domains)}" is redefined based on real-time electrode characterizations at distinct operation stages. In a total cyclic period, the configured pyrite-based anodes would stepwise undergo three critical stages nominally named "retention", "phase transition/coexistence", and "degradation", each of which is closely related to variations on anodic compositions/structures. Combined with optimal electrode configurations and in-depth clarifications on inherent phase conversions, this focus study may guide us to maximize the utilization efficiency of pyrite for all other aqueous electrochemical devices.

Flocculant-Assisted Synthesis of Graphene-Like Carbon Nanosheets for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Supercapacitor

The rational treatment of hazardous textile sludge is critical and challenging for the environment and a sustainable future. Here, a water-soluble chitosan derivative was synthesized and used as an effective flocculant in removal of reactive dye from aqueous solution. Employing these chitosan-containing textile sludges as precursors, graphene-like carbon nanosheets were synthesized through simple one-step carbonization with the use of Fe (III) salt as graphitization catalyst. It was found that the resultant graphene-like carbon nanosheets material at thickness near 3.2 nm (NSC-Fe-2) showed a high graphitization degree, high specific surface area, and excellent bifunctional electrochemical performance. As-prepared NSC-Fe-2 catalyst exhibited excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity (onset potential 1.05 V) and a much better methanol tolerance than that of commercial Pt/C (onset potential 0.98 V) in an alkaline medium. Additionally, as electrode materials for supercapacitors, NSC-Fe-2 also displayed an outstanding specific capacitance of 195 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and superior cycling stability (loss of 3.4% after 2500 cycles). The good electrochemical properties of the as-prepared NSC-Fe materials could be attributed to the ultrathin graphene-like nanosheets structure and synergistic effects from codoping of iron and nitrogen. This work develops a simple but effective strategy for direct conversion of textile sewage sludge to value-added graphene-like carbon, which is considered as a promising alternative to fulfill the requirements of environment and energy.

Bifunctional iron disulfide nanoellipsoids for high energy density supercapacitor and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution applications

FeS₂, prepared using a rapid microwave assisted method, exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitor and OER applications.

Hierarchical FeS/RGO/FeS@Fe foil as high-performance negative electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors

A hierarchical FeS/RGO/FeS composite in situ grown on Fe foil was prepared, which exhibits excellent electrochemical performances in a supercapacitor.

Synthesis of nanostructured metal sulfides via a hydrothermal method and their use as an electrode material for supercapacitors

Metal sulfides have attracted considerable interest owing to their notable electrochemical properties and multiple application areas, such as solar cells and supercapacitors (SCs).

Nanostructure selenium compounds as pseudocapacitive electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor

The electrochemical performance of an energy conversion and storage device like the supercapacitor mainly depends on the microstructure and morphology of the electrodes. In this paper, to improve the capacitance performance of the supercapacitor, the all-pseudocapacitive electrodes of lamella-like Bi₁₈SeO₂₉/BiSe as the negative electrode and flower-like Co_0.85Se nanosheets as the positive electrode are synthesized by using a facile low-temperature one-step hydrothermal method. The microstructures and morphology of the electrode materials are carefully characterized, and the capacitance performances are also tested. The Bi₁₈SeO₂₉/BiSe and Co_0.85Se have high specific capacitance (471.3 F g^-1 and 255 F g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1), high conductivity, outstanding cycling stability, as well as good rate capability. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor completely based on the pseudocapacitive electrodes exhibits outstanding cycling stability (about 93% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles). Moreover, the devices exhibit high energy density of 24.2 Wh kg^-1 at a power density of 871.2 W kg^-1 in the voltage window of 0-1.6 V with 2 M KOH solution.