Synergistic effect of Cr2O3 and Co3O4 nanocomposite electrode for high performance supercapacitor applications

The fabrication of high performance supercapacitor electrodes has been greatly investigated for future high power storage applications. In this present work, chromium oxide-cobalt oxide based nanocomposite (Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄ NC) was synthesized using the hydrothermal approach. Moreover, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) study reveals the Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄ NC delivers a high specific capacitance of 619.4 F/g at 10 mV/s. The electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) of Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄ NC possess the solution resistance (R_s) and charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of 0.68 Ω and 0.03 Ω respectively. The Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analysis demonstrated the prolonged charge-discharge time and good rate capability of the Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄ NC. The cyclic stability of Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄ NC delivers superior capacitive retention of 83% even after 2000 cycles. The asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device based on Cr₂O₃–Co₃O₄//AC yielded an energy density of 4.3 Wh/kg at the corresponding power density of 200 W/kg. Furthermore, the ASC delivers superior cyclic stability of 74.8% even after 1000 consecutive charge-discharge cycles.     

V2O5电极修饰对C60/Pentacene双层异质结场效应晶体管性能的影响

制备了用过渡金属氧化物V₂O₅修饰Al源、漏电极的C₆₀/Pentacene双层异质结有机场效应管.该构型器件与未修饰器件相比,呈现出典型的双极型晶体管传输特性.电子迁移率和空穴迁移率分别达到8.6×10^-2cm²/V·s^-1和6.4×10^-2cm²/V·s^-1,阈值电压分别为25 V和-25 V.器件性能改善的原因主要是由于插入V₂O₅修饰层后,可以明显降低Al电极与Pentacene之间的接触势垒,提高空穴的有效注入,从而使电子和空穴的注入接近平衡.研究表明,采用V₂O₅修饰电极方法,是制备低成本、高性能的双极型有机场效应管并实现其商业应用的有效途径.     

Synthesis of NiCo2S4 nanospheres/reduced graphene oxide composite as electrode material for supercapacitor

The NiCo₂S₄ nanospheres arrayed on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was fabricated via one-step hydrothermal method. The effect of initial feeding mass of Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O to rGO on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of the as-prepared composites was studied. The results indicated that the specific capacitances of the composites were first increased and then reduced due to the aggregation of NiCo₂S₄ nanospheres. NiCo₂S₄ nanospheres/rGO composites exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 1406 F/g and excellent cyclic stability of 82.36% at the current density of 1 A/g, which were better than those of individual NiCo₂S₄ (792 F/g and 64.77%) counterpart. These results showed that the as-prepared NiCo₂S₄ nanospheres/rGO composites were outstanding candidate for electrode material of supercapacitors.     

Co3O4掺杂SnO2体系的乙醇和丙酮气敏特性

通过研磨、涂浆和700 ℃ 烧结3 h的方法， 得到了一系列Co3O4掺杂的SnO2纳米颗粒厚膜． 发现在300 ℃ 的工作温度下复合膜对乙醇和丙酮表现了很好的气敏性质， 尤其是在摩尔比Co/Sn为5%时效果达到最好． 对1000 ppm的乙醇和丙酮的灵敏度分别为301和200，为没有Co掺杂时的SnO2时的7倍和5倍．同时，Co3O4的掺杂没有使得对H2的灵敏度有很大的提高，即提高了乙醇和丙酮对氢气的选择性．最后讨论了提高气敏性能的机制．     

紫外激光调控CoFe2O4表面氧空位以增强析氧反应催化活性

本文以尖晶石型材料CoFe₂O₄为模型催化剂,研究证实脉冲紫外激光辐照可以有效调控材料表面的氧空位含量,进而改变其析氧催化活性,得到了催化活性随辐照时间的火山型变化趋势. 这种激光辐照方法可用于定量研究过渡金属化合物的表面阳离子价态、阴离子空位和物化性质间的关联.     

Converting of the 2D graphene to its 3D by chicken red blood cells as sheets separator for construction supercapacitor electrode

Here, we report on a facile green and scalable method for the fabrication of porous 3D graphene as a well-known carbon-based material used in many energy storage devices. Chicken red blood cells were used as sheets spacer and heteroatom sources in the construction of 3D graphene. First, the red blood cells were separated from the blood and mixed with graphene oxide. Then, the mixture was freeze-dried and carbonized at 700 °C. The resulted 3D graphene containing heteroatoms was used as a supercapacitor electrode modifier on a glassy carbon electrode and tested with various electrochemical techniques. The supercapacitor electrode showed a specific capacitance of 330 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, maximum power density of 1958 W kg⁻¹, and maximum energy density of 85 Wh kg⁻¹. Furthermore, the supercapacitive performances were tested in a two-electrode symmetrical system which exhibited a specific capacitance of 238 F g⁻¹ for 1 A g⁻¹. It also showed a power density of 2200 W kg⁻¹ and an appreciable energy density of 160 Wh kg⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical behavior of 3D graphene indicates the promising abilities of the composite for other applications such as biosensors, batteries, electrocatalysts, etc.     

Ultrasound-assisted facile one-pot synthesis of ternary MWCNT/MnO2/rGO nanocomposite for high performance supercapacitors with commercial-level mass loadings

Commercial application of supercapacitors (SCs) requires high mass loading electrodes simultaneously with high energy density and long cycle life. Herein, we have reported a ternary multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/MnO₂/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite for SCs with commercial-level mass loadings. The ternary nanocomposite was synthesized using a facile ultrasound-assisted one-pot method. The symmetric SC fabricated with ternary MWCNT/MnO₂/rGO nanocomposite demonstrated marked enhancement in capacitive performance as compared to those with binary nanocomposites (MnO₂/rGO and MnO₂/MWCNT). The synergistic effect from simultaneous growth of MnO₂ on the graphene and MWCNTs under ultrasonic irradiation resulted in the formation of a porous ternary structure with efficient ion diffusion channels and high electrochemically active surface area. The symmetric SC with commercial-level mass loading electrodes (∼12 mg cm⁻²) offered a high specific capacitance (314.6 F g⁻¹) and energy density (21.1 W h kg⁻¹ at 150 W kg⁻¹) at a wide operating voltage of 1.5 V. Moreover, the SC exhibits no loss of capacitance after 5000 charge−discharge cycles showcasing excellent cycle life.     

Enhanced cycling properties of transition metal molybdates, Li x M2(MoO4)3 {0?≤ x

K. M. Begam  M. S. Michael  S. R. S. Prabaharan 《Ionics》2007,13(6):467-471

Investigation of electrochemical performance of sol-gel derived MgFe2O4 nanospheres as aqueous supercapacitor electrode and bi-functional water splitting electrocatalyst in alkaline medium

Herein this work, we have used the sol-gel chemical synthesis method to prepare spherical shaped MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles having size 45–50 nm. Using 1 mol L⁻¹ Sodium Perchlorate (NaClO₄) electrolyte, a capacitance of 61 F/g, a capacitance retention of 82.91% (after undergoing 1000 cycles), and an energy density of 41 Wh/kg have been achieved. Using 1 mol L⁻¹ Magnesium Perchlorate (Mg(ClO₄)₂) as electrolyte, a capacitance of 43 F/g, a capacitance retention of 82.15%, and an energy density of 29 Wh/kg have been realized. Furthermore, MgFe₂O₄ nanospheres exhibited an overpotential (η) = 1.09 V, a Tafel slope (b) = 317 mV/dec in regard to alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. It also achieved η = 402 mV and b = 241 mV/dec in regard towards alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. These results signify the suitability of MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles for high energy density aqueous supercapacitor and water splitting electrocatalyst applications.     

Carbon‐Encapsulated Tube‐Wire Co3O4/MnO2 Heterostructure Nanofibers as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

This study presents a general approach for the synthesis of carbon‐encapsulated wire‐in‐tube Co₃O₄/MnO₂ heterostructure nanofibers (Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C) via electrospinning followed by calcination. The as‐synthesized Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C is investigated as the sodium‐ion batteries anode material, which not only exhibits a high reversible capacity of 306 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ over 200 cycles, but also shows a cycling stability of 126 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 800 mA g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the contribution from carbon‐encapsulated outer‐tube Co₃O₄ and inner‐wire MnO₂ heterostructures, which offer a large internal space and good electrical conductivity. The present work can be helpful in providing new insights into heterostructures for sodium‐ion batteries and other applications.     

石墨/Li（Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3）O2电池充放电过程中电极材料的XRD研究

利用XRD系统地研究了石墨/Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂ 18650型锂离子电池充放电过程中正负极活性材料的晶体结构和微结构的变化.已观测到,由于Li原子的脱嵌,使得LiMO₂点阵参数a缩小,c增大,微应变增大,衍射强度比I₁₀₄/I₁₀₁和I₀₁₂/I₁₀₁降低;此外,由于Li原子的嵌入,2H-石墨的点阵参数a和c,以及微应变ε和堆垛无序度P都增加.同时,讨论了活性材料Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂和石墨在电池充放电过程中的嵌脱锂的物理机理.在充电时,正极Li（Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3）O₂中处于（000）位的Li原子优先脱离晶体点阵,继后才是位于（2/3 1/3 1/3）和（1/3 2/3 2/3）位的Li原子离开点阵.锂嵌入石墨,优先进入碳原子六方网格面间的间隙位置,当负极的堆垛无序度达到一定值后,3R相逐渐析出.当电池满充或过充时,在六方石墨中形成LiC₁₂和LiC₆相.放电时,与上述过程相反,但并非是完全可逆的. 关键词： 锂离子电池 微结构 X射线衍射 嵌脱锂物理机理     

Mechanism for enhancing dispersion of Co3O4 nanoparticles in Co/SiO2 Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst by adding glycol to impregnating solution: a quick‐XAFS study

In situ Co K‐edge quick‐EXAFS (QEXAFS) coupled with temperature‐programmed oxidation as well as ex situ XAFS was applied to investigating the mechanism for enhancing the dispersion of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles in a calcined Co/SiO₂ Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst prepared by adding triethylene glycol (TEG) to a Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O impregnating solution. Ex situ Co K‐edge XAFS indicated that, regardless of whether the catalysts were prepared with or without using TEG, the hexaaqua Co (II) complex was formed in impregnated samples which then underwent the dehydration process to some extent during the subsequent drying step at 393 K. In situ QEXAFS and ex situ EXAFS results also indicated that small oxide clusters were formed in the TEG‐modified catalyst calcined at ～400–470 K which interacted with polymer species derived from TEG. Since the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis activity of the TEG‐modified catalyst increased with an increase in the calcination temperature in a similar temperature range [Koizumi et al. (2011), Appl. Catal. A, 395 , 138–145], it was suggested that such an interaction enables the clusters to be distributed over the support surface uniformly, resulting in enhancing their dispersion. After combustion of polymer species, Co₃O₄‐like species were formed, and agglomeration of the Co₃O₄‐like species at high calcination temperatures was suppressed by the addition of TEG to the impregnating solution. It was speculated that the addition of TEG induced the formation of some surface silicate which worked as an anchoring site for Co₃O₄ and Co⁰ nanoparticles during calcination and H₂ reduction, respectively.     

Cocktail effect of Fe2O3 and TiO2 semiconductors for a high performance dye-sensitized solar cell

The bi-semiconductors of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ were used as a photoelectrode material in a high performance dye-sensitized solar cell due to cocktail effects from the two conduction bands. The size of the semiconductors was reduced by using a paint shaker to enlarge the contact area of the semiconductor with the dye or electrolyte. The fill factor and the efficiency of the prepared dye-sensitized solar cell were improved by over 16% and 300%, respectively; these parameters were measured from a current-voltage curve that was based on the effects of the Fe₂O₃ co-semiconductor and the size reduction. A mechanism is suggested wherein the conduction band of Fe₂O₃ works to prohibit the trapping effects of electrons in the conduction band of TiO₂. This result is attributed to the prevention of electron recombination between electrons in the TiO₂ conduction band with dye or electrolytes. The mechanism is suggested based on impedance results, which indicate improved electron transport at the interface of the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte.     

La2Sn2O7/g-C3N4 nanocomposites: Rapid and green sonochemical fabrication and photo-degradation performance for removal of dye contaminations

The deficiency of drinking water sources has become a serious crisis for the future of the world that the photocatalytic process is one of the most favorable methods for removal of artificial dyes and poisonous organic impurities. In the present study, rapid ultrasonic treatment was performed to obtain La₂Sn₂O₇/Graphitic carbon nitrides (LSO/CN) nanocomposites with advanced photo-catalytic performance. Broccoli extract was utilized as a natural surfactant with active surface groups to control nucleation and growth of formed crystals with the creation of spatial barriers around the cations, and finally prevent nano-product agglomeration. Changing experimental parameters in synthesis reaction in turn offers a virtuous control over the nano-products size and shape. The shape and size distribution of particles was considered via diverse characterization techniques of microscopic and spectroscopic. The photocatalytic behaviors along with a kinetic study of the nanoparticles were examined by elimination and degradation of different artificial dyes under the UV waves. Effect of particle size, weight ratio of LSO:CN, type of dye, scavenger kind, dye and catalyst loading was designated on altering proficiency of nano-catalyst function. Also, the probable mechanism of removal dye by photocatalytic function was studied.     

Buffer effects of titanium in the case of silver / a - Al 2 O 3(0001)

The influence of thin titanium layers on the growth of silver clusters on - Al ₂ O ₃ (0001) is investigated. We demonstrate through in situ RHEED measurements that titanium can relax stress in a growth mode where two lattice parameters show up simultaneously. Above a certain thickness, the lattice parameter closest to the bulk value of titanium dominates. Depending on the amount of stress in the titanium layer, silver films can either develop 3D textures or grow in epitaxy and form 2D like films.     

Absence of a spontaneous long-range order in a mixed spin-(1/2, 3/2) Ising model on a decorated square lattice due to anomalous spin frustration driven by a magnetoelastic coupling

The mixed spin-(1/2, 3/2) Ising model on a decorated square lattice, which takes into account lattice vibrations of the spin-3/2 decorating magnetic ions at a quantum-mechanical level under the assumption of a perfect lattice rigidity of the spin-1/2 nodal magnetic ions, is examined via an exact mapping correspondence with the effective spin-1/2 Ising model on a square lattice. Although the considered magnetic structure is in principle unfrustrated due to bipartite nature of a decorated square lattice, the model under investigation may display anomalous spin frustration driven by a magnetoelastic coupling. It turns out that the magnetoelastic coupling is a primary cause for existence of the frustrated antiferromagnetic phases, which exhibit a peculiar coexistence of antiferromagnetic long-range order of the nodal spins with a partial disorder of the decorating spins with possible reentrant critical behavior. Under certain conditions, the anomalous spin frustration caused by the magnetoelastic coupling is responsible for unprecedented absence of spontaneous long-range order in the mixed-spin Ising model composed from half-odd-integer spins only.     

Observation of a tunneling magnetoresistance effect in magnetic tunneling junctions with a high resistance ferromagnetic oxide Fe2⋅5Mn0⋅5O4 electrode

A high resistance ferromagnetic oxide Fe_2⋅5Mn_0⋅5O₄ (FMO) property as a novel spin injector was investigated with a structure of a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) composed of FMO/Al-O/Ni₈₀Fe₂₀, in order to reduce an impedance mismatch problem on molecular spintronics. A tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect in the MTJs was observed. The maximum TMR ratio observed in the MTJs was approximately 0.85% at room temperature (RT), and the spin-polarization of FMO was estimated to be at least 0.94% at RT.     

In-situ X-ray microdiffraction analysis of local strain-field across the interface in a Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3/Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 tri-layered structure

We have performed a synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction to investigate the variation of the local strain-field across the interface in Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃/Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄/Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT–NZFO–PZT) tri-layered structure. In this study, we show that the in-plane lattice parameters of the NZFO lattice depend strongly on the piezoelectric strain of the PZT layer. This result explains that an electric-field-induced piezoelectric strain from the PZT layer is effectively transferred to the NZFO layer. Furthermore, the local strain persists within 20 μm away from the interface, inducing changes of magnetic responses via the inverse magnetostrictive effect.