Multifunctional high entropy oxides incorporated functionalized biowaste derived activated carbon for electrochemical energy storage and desalination

Bimetallic CuNi Nanoparticle Formation: Solution Combustion Synthesis and Molecular Dynamic Approaches

Nanomaterials are vital in catalysis, sensing, energy storage, and biomedicine and now incorporate multiprincipal element materials to meet evolving technological demands. However, achieving a uniform distribution of multiple elements in these nanomaterials poses significant challenges. In this study, various Cu-Ni compositions were used as a model system to investigate the formation of bimetallic nanoparticles by employing computer simulation molecular dynamics methods and comparing the results with observations from solution-combustion-synthesized materials of the same compositions. The findings reveal the successful synthesis of 12-18 nm bimetallic Cu-Ni nanoparticles with high phase homogeneity, alongside phase-segregated nanoparticles predicted by molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the comparison of the experimental and computational data, a possible scenario for phase segregation during the synthesis was proposed. It includes clustering of the atoms of the same type in an initial solution or the stage of gel formation and further developing segregation during the combustion/cooling stage. The research concludes that early synthesis stages, including particle preformation, significantly influence the phase homogeneity of multiprincipal element alloys. This study contributes to understanding nanomaterial formation, offering insights for improved alloy synthesis and enhanced functionalities in advanced applications.

Synthesis of (FeCoNiCuMn)3O4 spinel-high entropy oxide and green carbon from agricultural waste for supercapacitor application

This article highlights (FeCoNiCuMn)3O4 high-entropy oxide prepared via liquid state induction melting techniques for supercapacitor application. Nanostructured high entropy oxides have higher active sites to boost the surface redox process with transition metal cations, such as Fe2+, Mn3+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Cu+, which helps to improve specific power, long-term cyclic stability, and specific capacitance. Melted and ball-milled HEA Nps were annealed to form the high entropy oxide, which uses a positive electrode for supercapacitor application; this results in the highest specific capacitance of 313 F g-1 for a current rate of 5 mV s-1 for the optimized 3 M KOH electrolyte. The biochar prepared through the pyrolysis of rice straw biochar shows a maximum specific capacitance of 232 F g-1 for 5 mV s-1. The fabricated aqueous devices display the highest specific capacitance of 83 F g-1 at 2 A g-1 with a specific energy of 33.4 W h kg-1 at 1700 W kg-1.