Green synthesis of novel CuCo2O4 nanocomposite for stable hybrid supercapacitors by deep eutectic solvents

Rod-Like Nanostructured Cu-Co Spinel with Rich Oxygen Vacancies for Efficient Electrocatalytic Dechlorination

Dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) hydrodechlorination to methane (CH₄) is a promising approach to remove the halogenated contaminants and generate clean energy. In this work, rod-like nanostructured CuCo₂O₄ spinels with rich oxygen vacancies are designed for highly efficient electrochemical reduction dechlorination of dichloromethane. Microscopy characterizations revealed that the special rod-like nanostructure and rich oxygen vacancies can efficiently enhance surface area, electronic/ionic transport, and expose more active sites. The experimental tests demonstrated that CuCo₂O₄-3 with rod-like nanostructures outperformed other morphology of CuCo₂O₄ spinel nanostructures in catalytic activity and product selectivity. The highest methane production of 148.84 μmol in 4 h with a Faradaic efficiency of 21.61% at -2.94 V (vs SCE) is shown. Furthermore, the density function theory proved oxygen vacancies significantly decreased the energy barrier to promote the catalyst in the reaction and O_v-Cu was the main active site in dichloromethane hydrodechlorination. This work explores a promising way to synthesize the highly efficient electrocatalysts, which may be an effective catalyst for dichloromethane hydrodechlorination to methane.

Emerging 2D Copper-Based Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion: A Review and Perspective

2D materials have shown great potential as electrode materials that determine the performance of a range of electrochemical energy technologies. Among these, 2D copper-based materials, such as Cu-O, Cu-S, Cu-Se, Cu-N, and Cu-P, have attracted tremendous research interest, because of the combination of remarkable properties, such as low cost, excellent chemical stability, facile fabrication, and significant electrochemical properties. Herein, the recent advances in the emerging 2D copper-based materials are summarized. A brief summary of the crystal structures and synthetic methods is started, and innovative strategies for improving electrochemical performances of 2D copper-based materials are described in detail through defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and surface functionalization. Furthermore, their state-of-the-art applications in electrochemical energy storage including supercapacitors (SCs), alkali (Li, Na, and K)-ion batteries, multivalent metal (Mg and Al)-ion batteries, and hybrid Mg/Li-ion batteries are described. In addition, the electrocatalysis applications of 2D copper-based materials in metal-air batteries, water-splitting, and CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ RR) are also discussed. This review also discusses the charge storage mechanisms of 2D copper-based materials by various advanced characterization techniques. The review with a perspective of the current challenges and research outlook of such 2D copper-based materials for high-performance energy storage and conversion applications is concluded.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents in the Synthesis of Inorganic Nanoparticles

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NDESs), as a new type of green solvent, are used in many fields, including industry in extraction processes, medicine, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, electrodeposition, separations, gas capture, biocatalysis and nanotechnology. Mainly due to their properties, such as simple preparation, environmental friendliness, biocompatibility and multifunctionality, they are being used in various fields of industry. This review aims to provide insight into the applications of natural deep eutectic solvents, specifically in nanotechnology processes. It focuses on the description of NDES and how their physicochemical properties are used to obtain functional nanomaterials, including metals, metal oxides and salts. It highlights how the use of NDESs to obtain a wide range of inorganic nanoparticles enables the elimination of disadvantages of traditional methods of obtaining them, including reducing energy consumption and functionalising nanoparticles in situ. In conclusion, recent advances and future directions in the development and applications of NDESs in nanotechnology are discussed with the aim of identifying unexplained scientific questions that can be investigated in the future.

A Novel Synthesized 1D Nanobelt-like Cobalt Phosphate Electrode Material for Excellent Supercapacitor Applications

In the present report, we synthesized highly porous 1D nanobelt-like cobalt phosphate (Co₂P₂O₇) materials using a hydrothermal method for supercapacitor (SC) applications. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the synthesized 1D nanobelt-like Co₂P₂O₇ were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface morphology results indicated that the deposition temperatures affected the growth of the 1D nanobelts. The SEM revealed a significant change in morphological results of Co₂P₂O₇ material prepared at 150 °C deposition temperature. The 1D Co₂P₂O₇ nanobelt-like nanostructures provided higher electrochemical properties, because the resulting empty space promotes faster ion transfer and improves cycling stability. Moreover, the electrochemical performance indicates that the 1D nanobelt-like Co₂P₂O₇ electrode deposited at 150 °C deposition temperature shows the maximum specific capacitance (Cs). The Co₂P₂O₇ electrode prepared at a deposition temperature 150 °C provided maximum Cs of 1766 F g^-1 at a lower scan rate of 5 mV s^-1 in a 1 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, an asymmetric hybrid Co₂P₂O₇//AC supercapacitor device exhibited the highest Cs of 266 F g^-1, with an excellent energy density of 83.16 Wh kg^-1, and a power density of 9.35 kW kg^-1. Additionally, cycling stability results indicate that the 1D nanobelt-like Co₂P₂O₇ material is a better option for the electrochemical energy storage application.

Plasma-Engineered N-CoOx Nanowire Array as a Bifunctional Electrode for Supercapacitor and Electrocatalysis

Surface engineering has achieved great success in enhancing the electrochemical activity of Co₃O₄. However, the previously reported methods always involve high-temperature calcination processes which are prone to induce agglomeration of the nanostructure, leading to the attenuation of performance. In this work, Co₃O₄ nanowires were successfully modified by a low-temperature NH₃/Ar plasma treatment, which simultaneously generated a porous structure and efficient nitrogen doping with no agglomeration. The modified N-CoO_x electrode exhibited remarkable performance due to the synergistic effect of the porous structure and nitrogen doping, which provided additional active sites for faradic transitions and improved charge transfer characteristics. The electrode achieved excellent supercapacitive performance with a maximum specific capacitance of 2862 mF/cm² and superior cycling retention. Furthermore, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (N-CoO_x//AC) device exhibited an extended potential window of 1.5 V, a maximum specific energy of 80.5 Wh/kg, and a maximum specific power of 25.4 kW/kg with 91% capacity retention after 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, boosted hydrogen evolution reaction performance was also confirmed by the low overpotential (126 mV) and long-term stability. This work enlightens prospective research on the plasma-enhanced surface engineering strategies.

Phytosynthesis of Co3O4 Nanoparticles as the High Energy Storage Material of an Activated Carbon/Co3O4 Symmetric Supercapacitor Device with Excellent Cyclic Stability Based on a Na2SO4 Aqueous Electrolyte

The benign preparation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) was performed using marine red algae extract (Grateloupia sparsa) as a simple, cost-effective, scalable, and one-pot hydrothermal technique. The nominated extract was employed as an environmental reductant and stabilizing agent. The resultant product showed the typical peak of Co3O4-NPs around 400 nm wavelength as ascertained by UV-vis spectroscopy. Size and morphological techniques combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the small size of Co3O4-NPs deformed in a spherical shape. The activated carbon (AC) electrode and Co3O4-NP electrode delivered a specific capacitance (C sp) of 125 and 182 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, respectively. The energy density of the AC and AC/Co3O4 electrodes with a power density of 543.44 and 585 W kg-1 was equal to 17.36 and 25.27 Wh kg-1, respectively. The capacitance retention of designed electrodes was 99.2 and 99.5% after 3000 cycles. Additionally, a symmetric AC/Co3O4//AC/Co3O4 supercapacitor device had a specific capacitance (C sp) of 125 F g-1 and a high energy density of 55 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 650 W kg-1. Meanwhile, the symmetric device exhibited superior cyclic stability after 8000 cycles, with a capacitance retention of 93.75%. Overall, the adopted circular criteria, employed to use green technology to avoid noxious chemicals, make the AC/Co3O4 nanocomposite an easily accessible electrode for energy storage applications.