Lichen-like anchoring of MoSe2 on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes: an efficient electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors

"Unveiling marigold assembled micro flowers of tungsten oxide towards solid-state flexible pouch and coin cell supercapacitors"

Marigold analogues micro flowers of tungsten oxide (WO3) have been grown in thin film form through simple and cost-effective solution chemistry approach on stainless steel substrate. Aqueous precursor involving WO4-2 ions agglomerated as self-sacrificing template growing initially into the nano-petal, followed by self-assembly; leading to marigold analogues micro flower surface architecture. This enthralling morphology motivated us not only to fabricate supercapacitive electrode but also to design complete solid-state supercapacitor devices in dual configurations: flexible pouch cell and coin cell. Interestingly, both devices even in symmetric configuration yields remarkable potential window of 1.82 V when sandwiched by gel inclusive of Li+ ions dispersed in non-conducting polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Solid-state flexible pouch cell and coin cell delivered specific capacitances of 103.98 ± 3.59 and 30.09 ± 1.03 F/g respectively at a scan rate of 5 mV/s. Assembled electrode, coin-cell and flexible pouch-cells have been well assessed in-depth through specific capacitances using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge discharge, diffusive and capacitive contributions, mechanical bending tests, electrochemical active surface area, and electrochemical impedance analysis. Practical applicability has been demonstrated for designed flexible pouch cell to run small fan and light emitting diode panel whereas coin cell to run light emitting diode panel.

Hierarchical Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2: A Versatile Electrode Material for High-Performance All-Solid-State Hybrid Pseudocapacitors with Supreme Working Durability

As highly efficient electrochemical energy storage devices are in indispensable demand for numerous modern-day technologies, herein sluggish precipitation followed by an anion exchange procedure has been developed to synthesize an oxide-selenide mixed phase (Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2) novel electrode material with high surface area and porosity for high-performance all-solid-state hybrid pseudocapacitors (ASSHPC). Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2 shows a rich Tyndall effect (in H2O) and possesses randomly arranged low-dimensional crystallites of nearly similar size and uniform shape. The electrochemical analyses of Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2 corroborate good electrochemical reversibility during charge transfer, superior pseudocapacitive charge-storage efficiency, and very low charge transfer and series resistance, ion-diffusion resistance, and relaxation time, which endorse the quick pseudocapacitive response of the material. The Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2||N-rGO ASSHPC device demonstrates excellent charge-storage physiognomies suggestive of rich electrochemical and electromicrostructural compatibility between the electrode materials in the fabricated assembly. The Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2||N-rGO ASSHPC device delivers high mass and area specific capacitance/capacity, very low charge-transfer resistance (∼0.74 Ω), total series resistance (∼0.76 Ω), diffusion resistance, and a relaxation time constant, which endorse the quick pseudocapacitive response of the device. The device delivers higher energy and power density (∼34 W h kg-1 at ∼2994 W kg-1), rate efficiency (∼17 W h kg-1 at ∼11,995 W kg-1), and cyclic performance (∼97.2% specific capacity/capacitance retention after 9500 continuous GCD cycles). The superior Ragone and cyclic efficiencies of the ASSHPC device are ascribed to the multiple redox-active Ni and Mn ions which lead to the supplemented number of redox reactions; "electroactive-ion buffering pool"-like physiognomics of Mn3O4/NiSe2-MnSe2, which facilitate the electrolyte ion dissemination to the electroactive sites even at high rate redox condition; and ideal electro-microstructural compatibility between the electrode materials, which leads to assisted charge transfer and absolute ion dissemination during the charge-storage process.

Recent advancements in zero- to three-dimensional carbon networks with a two-dimensional electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

Supercapacitors have gained significant attention owing to their exceptional performance in terms of energy density and power density, making them suitable for various applications, such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems. This review focuses on recent advancements in the utilization of 0-dimensional to 3-dimensional carbon network materials as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitor devices. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the potential of carbon-based materials in enhancing the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. The combination of these materials with other cutting-edge materials, such as Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs), MXenes, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Black Phosphorus (BP), and perovskite nanoarchitectures, has been extensively studied to achieve a wide operating potential window. The combination of these materials synchronizes their different charge-storage mechanisms to attain practical and realistic applications. The findings of this review indicate that hybrid composite electrodes with 3D structures exhibit the best potential in terms of overall electrochemical performance. However, this field faces several challenges and promising research directions. This study aimed to highlight these challenges and provide insights into the potential of carbon-based materials in supercapacitor applications.

MoSe2/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite for ammonia sensing in natural humid environment

Herein, we report ammonia sensing in a natural highly humid environment using MoSe₂/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite as sensing platform. The composite synthesis involved two steps, in the first step, MWCNTs were treated in an acidic medium to obtain -COOH group functionalized MWCNTs. In the second step, functionalized MWCNTs were probe sonicated with MoSe₂ to obtain MoSe₂/MWCNT composite. Proposed device exhibited superior sensing properties at a temperature down to 16^∘ C and relative humidity of 80%. Under these extreme natural environmental conditions, the device exhibited a relative response of 21% for 0.5 ppm of ammonia and superior noise free signal further suggests their use even below this concentration. Composite based device has also displayed better adsorption selectivity towards NH₃ as compared with other reducing and oxidizing gas molecules. Density functional theory simulations were further employed to understand the underlying adsorption process and selectivity behavior of the composite. Simulations predicted lowest negative adsorption energy for ammonia, implying physisorption (-0.387 eV) type exothermic adsorption process. Present results indicate that a composite with the rightly engineered MoSe₂ and MWCNTs weight ratio may serve as a potential candidate for ammonia sensing in a highly humid environment.

A Review of Supercapacitors: Materials Design, Modification, and Applications

Supercapacitors (SCs) have received much interest due to their enhanced electrochemical performance, superior cycling life, excellent specific power, and fast charging–discharging rate. The energy density of SCs is comparable to batteries; however, their power density and cyclability are higher by several orders of magnitude relative to batteries, making them a flexible and compromising energy storage alternative, provided a proper design and efficient materials are used. This review emphasizes various types of SCs, such as electrochemical double-layer capacitors, hybrid supercapacitors, and pseudo-supercapacitors. Furthermore, various synthesis strategies, including sol-gel, electro-polymerization, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, chemical vapor deposition, direct coating, vacuum filtration, de-alloying, microwave auxiliary, in situ polymerization, electro-spinning, silar, carbonization, dipping, and drying methods, are discussed. Furthermore, various functionalizations of SC electrode materials are summarized. In addition to their potential applications, brief insights into the recent advances and associated problems are provided, along with conclusions. This review is a noteworthy addition because of its simplicity and conciseness with regard to SCs, which can be helpful for researchers who are not directly involved in electrochemical energy storage.