Facile ordered ZnCo2O4@MnO2 nanosheet arrays for superior-performance supercapacitor electrode

Constructing ZnCo₂O₄ nanosheet arrays (NSAs)@MnO₂ nanosheets core-shell nanostructures directly on the current collector (Ni foam) was successfully realized via hydrothermal process and heat treatment. The whole surfaces of uniform ZnCo₂O₄ NSAs were covered with well-ordered MnO₂ nanosheets, which make the whole system have a large specific surface area. At a low current density of 2 mA cm⁻², supercapacitor electrode made of ZnCo₂O₄@MnO₂ composite gave rise to a superior specific capacity about 929.2 C g⁻¹. Although at an ultrahigh current density of 40 mA cm⁻², it still kept a satisfactory specific capacity about 751.1 C g⁻¹, and retained ∼95.75% of the capacity even after 5000 cycles. Because of the synergistic effect between ZnCo₂O₄ and MnO₂ and the great surface area of the system with the special core-shell structure, ZnCo₂O₄@MnO₂ composite has the excellent rate performance, considerable capacity, and quite good cycle performance, which make it a candidate for a new generation of superior-performance electrochemical supercapacitors.     

Mesoporous tubular graphene electrode for high performance supercapacitor

Mesopores tubular graphene, synthesized by template method, have unique bi-directional ions transfer channel in unstack graphene layers and high mesopore ratio, exhibiting excellent capacitance performance in the EDLC using ionic liquid electrolyte at 4 V.     

Synthesis of NiCo2O4/mesoporous carbon composites for supercapacitor electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this study, nickel cobaltite/mesoporous carbon composites are synthesized by reacting CoCl2, Ni (NO3)2 and nitric acid-treated biogas slurry mesoporous...     

Reduced graphene oxide supported 2D-NiO nanosheets modified electrode for urea detection

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanosheets (NSs) deposited on different amounts (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt%) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized through hydrothermal method. The NiO NSs on rGO (rGO-NiO) are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses, and electrochemical analysis. Electrocatalytic activity of rGO-NiO nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC/rGO-NiO) electrode is examined towards electrocatalytic oxidation of urea in 0.1 M NaOH using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry techniques. The GC/rGO_0.1-NiO nanocomposite modified electrode shows enhanced electrocatalytic oxidation of urea than that of other modified electrodes due to the incorporation of NiO NSs on an optimum amount of rGO. The GC/rGO_0.1-NiO modified electrode is used for designing electrochemical sensor for urea, and the detection limit is estimated as 0.47 μM using the amperometry technique. The sensitivity of GC/rGO_0.1-NiO modified electrode is found to be 2450 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻². In addition to good electroanalytical performance, the present urea sensor displayed good stability and acceptable anti-interference ability in the presence of 20-fold excess concentration of relevant interferents. The GC/rGO_0.1-NiO nanocomposite modified electrode is successfully used for the determination of urea in water sample.

Schematic representation of electrocatalytic oxidation of urea at GC/rGO-NiO nanocomposite modified electrode.

     

Fabrication of Co3O4-reduced graphene oxide scrolls for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes

A new type of scrolled structure of Co(3)O(4)/reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) is facilely prepared through a two-step surfactant-assisted method. This assembly enables almost every single Co(3)O(4) scroll to connect with the r-GO platelets, thus leading to remarkable electrochemical performances in terms of high specific capacitance and good rate capability.     

Functionalized graphene oxide-reinforced electrospun carbon nanofibers as ultrathin supercapacitor electrode

Graphene oxide has been used widely as a starting precursor for applications that cater to the needs of tunable graphene. However, the hydrophilic characteristic limits their application, especially in a hydrophobic condition. Herein, a novel non-covalent surface modification approach towards graphene oxide was conducted via a UV-induced photo-polymerization technique that involves two major routes; a UV-sensitive initiator embedded via pi-pi interactions on the graphene planar rings, and the polymerization of hydrophobic polymeric chains along the surface. The functionalized graphene oxide successfully achieved the desired hydrophobicity as it displayed the characteristic of being readily dissolved in organic solvent. Upon its addition into a polymeric solution and subjected to an electrospinning process,non-woven random nanofibers embedded with graphene oxide sheets were obtained. The prepared polymeric nanofibers were subjected to two-step thermal treatments that eventually converted the polymeric chains into a carbon-rich conductive structure. A unique morphology was observed upon the addition of the functionalized graphene oxide, whereby the sheets were embedded and intercalated within the carbon nanofibers and formed a continuous structure. This reinforcement effectively enhanced the electrochemical performance of the carbon nanofibers by recording a specific capacitance of up to 140.10 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g, which was approximately three folds more than that of pristine nanofibers.It also retained the capacitance up to 96.2% after 1000 vigorous charge/discharge cycles. This functionalization technique opens up a new pathway in tuning the solubility nature of graphene oxide towards the synthesis of a graphene oxide-reinforced polymeric structure.     

Carbon fiber-bridged polyaniline/graphene paper electrode for a highly foldable all-solid-state supercapacitor

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A simple, scalable approach is developed to fabricate a flexible hybrid paper electrode composed of the polyaniline/graphene and the carbon fiber...     

Facile and green synthesis of Co3O4 nanoplates/graphene nanosheets composite for supercapacitor

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A series of Co3O4 nanoplates/graphene nanosheets (GNS) composites are fabricated using a facile and green method by hydrothermal treatment and subsequent...     

Co3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites for supercapacitor application

In this study, Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized by citrate–gel method by utilizing SiO₂ matrix for Co₃O₄ embedment. Spectroscopy analyses confirm the formation of high crystalline Co₃O₄ nanoparticles; meanwhile, microscopy findings reveal that the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles are embedded in SiO₂ matrix. Electrochemical properties of the Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 5 M KOH electrolyte. The findings show that the charge storage of Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites is mainly due to the reversible redox reaction (pseudocapacitance). The highest specific capacitance of 1,143 F g ^?1 could be achieved at a scan rate of 2.5 mV s^?1 in the potential region between 0 and 0.6 V. Furthermore, high-capacitance retention (>92 %) after 900 continuous charge–discharge tests reveals the excellent stability of the nanocomposites. It is worth noting from the EIS measurements that the nanocomposites have low ESR value of 0.33 Ω. The results manifest that Co₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposites are the promising electrode material for supercapacitor application.     

Fabrication of vesicular polyaniline using hard templates and composites with graphene for supercapacitor

Vesicular polyaniline (VPANI) has been fabricated for the first time via a facile two-step method, which uses high-quality multilamellar vesicular SiO₂ as hard templates. The graphene-wrapped VPANI (VPANI@RGO) composites were prepared by self-assembling graphene oxide onto VPANI and subsequently conducting the hydrothermal reduction process. The morphological characterization of the composites confirms the uniform wrapping of the graphene sheets on the VPANI. The structural characterization of the composites reveals a strong π–π electron and hydrogen bond interaction in the composites. The VPANI@RGO composites exhibit an excellent supercapacitor performance with an enhanced specific capacitance (573 F g^?1) and a good cycling stability, which maintains its capacity of up to 85.7 % over 1000 cycles at 1 A g^?1.     

Layer-by-layer engineered Co-Al hydroxide nanosheets/graphene multilayer films as flexible electrode for supercapacitor

Multilayer films of Co-Al layered double hydroxide nanosheets (Co-Al LDH-NS) and graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated through layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. By using a three-electrode system, the electrochemical performances of the films were investigated to evaluate their potential as electrode materials to be used in flexible supercapacitor devices. The Co-Al LDH-NS/GO multilayer films exhibited a high specific capacitance of 880 F/g and area capacitance of 70 F/m(2) under the scan rate of 5 mV/s. And the film exhibited good cycle stability over 2000 cycles. After treating the films at 200 °C in H(2) atmosphere, the specific capacitance and area capacitance were largely increased up to 1204 F/g and 90 F/m(2) due to partial reduction of GO. A flexible electrode by depositing Co-Al LDH-NS/GO multilayer film onto PET substrate was prepared to show the potential of Co-Al LDH-NS/GO films for flexible energy storage.     

Reduced graphene oxide conjugated Cu2O nanowire mesocrystals for high-performance NO2 gas sensor

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-conjugated Cu(2)O nanowire mesocrystals were formed by nonclassical crystallization in the presence of GO and o-anisidine under hydrothermal conditions. The resultant mesocrystals are comprised of highly anisotropic nanowires as building blocks and possess a distinct octahedral morphology with eight {111} equivalent crystal faces. The mechanisms underlying the sequential formation of the mesocrystals are as follows: first, GO-promoted agglomeration of amorphous spherical Cu(2)O nanoparticles at the initial stage, leading to the transition of growth mechanism from conventional ion-by-ion growth to particle-mediated crystallization; second, the evolution of the amorphous microspheres into hierarchical structure, and finally to nanowire mesocrystals through mesoscale transformation, where Ostwald ripening is responsible for the growth of the nanowire building blocks; third, large-scale self-organization of the mesocrystals and the reduction of GO (at high GO concentration) occur simultaneously, resulting in an integrated hybrid architecture where porous three-dimensional (3D) framework structures interspersed among two-dimensional (2D) rGO sheets. Interestingly, "super-mesocrystals" formed by 3D oriented attachment of mesocrystals are also formed judging from the voided Sierpinski polyhedrons observed. Furthermore, the interior nanowire architecture of these mesocrystals can be kinetically controlled by careful variation of growth conditions. Owing to high specific surface area and improved conductivity, the rGO-Cu(2)O mesocrystals achieved a higher sensitivity toward NO(2) at room temperature, surpassing the performance of standalone systems of Cu(2)O nanowires networks and rGO sheets. The unique characteristics of rGO-Cu(2)O mesocrystal point to its promising applications in ultrasensitive environmental sensors.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4@SnO2 core-shell nanorod film and its application as a thin-film supercapacitor electrode

Considerable areal capacitance (mF cm(-2) level) and long cycling stability (2000 cycles, the best ever for Fe(3)O(4)-based electrodes) are demonstrated for the first time for Fe(3)O(4)@SnO(2) core-shell nanorod film, which is grown directly on a current collector substrate.     

Transition metal ions-doped polyaniline/graphene oxide nanostructure as high performance electrode for supercapacitor applications

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Polyaniline/graphene oxide (PANI/GO) co-doped with Zn2+ and Fe3+ was synthesized via a simple and low cost one-step chronoamperometry method on stainless...     

Polymerization of pyrrole induced by pillar[5]arene functionalized graphene for supercapacitor electrode

Conducting polymer is an important electrode material for supercapacitors because of its high initial specific capacitance. Herein, a novel nanocomposite composed of polypyrrole (PPy) film homogeneously immobilized on the pillar[5]arene functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (RGO-HP5A-PPy) was successfully prepared. RGO-HP5A induced pyrrole to polymerize on the graphene surface and the specific capacitance loss caused by PPy agglomeration was avoided. Noticeably, the specific capacitance of RGO-HP5A-PPy was up to 495 F/g at 1 A/g. Compared with pure PPy (319 F/g), the specific capacitance was increased by 55%. The specific capacitance retention of the assembled symmetric supercapacitor reached 76% after 10,000 cycles at 5 A/g. This study gave full play to the advantages of pillar[5]arene, graphene and PPy, and was expected to promote the development of supramolecular functionalized composites in energy storage.     

High-performance hybrid supercapacitor based on pure and doped Li4Ti5O12 and graphene

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Graphene nanosheets (G) and pure, as well as doped Mg-, Mn-, V-Li4Ti5O12, spinel structure have been synthesized. As-prepared materials were characterized...     

Preparation of self-assembled porous flower-like nanostructured magnetite (Fe3O4) electrode material for supercapacitor application

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Nanostructured electrode materials for supercapacitors have attracted research interest due to their high power density and long cycle life. Herein, porous...     

Three-dimensional paper-like graphene framework with highly orientated laminar structure as binder-free supercapacitor electrode

A free-standing paper-like three-dimensional graphene framework(3DGF) with orientated laminar structure and interconnected macropores, was obtained by the hard template-directed ordered assembly. As the sacrificial templates, polystyrene(PS) latex spheres were assembled with graphene oxide(GO) to build up a sandwich type composite film, followed by heat removal of which with a simultaneous reduction of GO. The 3DGF exhibited high specific surface area of 402.5 m2/g, controllable pores and mechanical flexibility, which was employed as the binder-free supercapacitor electrode and shows high specific gravimetric capacitance of 95 F/g at 0.5 A/g, with enhanced rate capability in 3 electrode KOH system.     

Core-shells on nanosheets: Fe3O4@carbon-reduced graphene oxide composites for lithium-ion storage

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Fabrication of core-shells on sheets is considered as an effective strategy to explore novel functional composite materials. Herein, a three-component...     

Reduced graphene oxide-porous In2O3 nanocubes hybrid nanocomposites for room-temperature NH3 sensing

Metal oxide semiconductors(MOS)-reduced graphene oxide(rGO) nanocomposites have attracted great attention for room-tempe rature gas sensing applications.The development of novel sensing materials is the key issue for the effective detection of ammoniagas at room temperature.In the present work,the novel reduced graphene oxide(rGO)-In₂ O₃ nanocubes hybrid materials have been prepared via a simple electrostatic self-assembly strategy.Characterization re sults exhibit that the...