Solvothermal synthesis of mesoporous NiCo2O4 spinel oxide nanostructure for high-performance electrochemical capacitor electrode

NiCo₂O₄ nanostructure was successfully synthesized via a d-glucose-assisted solvothermal process. Spinel-type cubic phase and mesoporous microstructure of the sample for different calcination temperatures were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Typical pseudocapacitance feature of the NiCo₂O₄ treated at different temperatures was then evaluated in aqueous 6 M KOH electrolyte solution. Electrochemical measurements showed that the spinel nickel cobaltite nanostructure heated at 300 °C exhibits maximum specific capacitances of 524 F g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1 and 419 F g^?1 at 10 A g^?1 with excellent cycle stability and only ~9 % of capacitance loss after 2,500 cycles. This demonstrates the potential application of the material for supercapacitors. The attractive pseudocapacitive performance of NiCo₂O₄ is mainly attributed to the redox contribution of the Ni and Co metal species, high surface area, and their desired mesoporous nanostructure.     

Direct ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of sphere-like nanocrystals of spinel Co3O4 and Mn3O4

A simple sonochemical method was developed to synthesize uniform sphere-like or cubic Co(3)O(4) and Mn(3)O(4) nanocrystals by using acetate salts and sodium hydroxide or tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as precursors. Influence of some parameters such as time of reaction, alkali salts, and power of the ultrasound and the molar ratio of the starting materials on the size, morphology and degree of crystallinity of the products was studied. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR spectroscopy, Thermal gravimetry analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) were used to characterize the nanocrystals.     

The optimized preparation and electrochemical properties of LiMn1.95Co0.05O4 and Al2O3-coated LiMn1.95Co0.05O4

Cathode material LiMn_1.95Co_0.05O₄ for lithium ion battery was synthesized via solid state reaction, and calcination temperature and time were investigated, respectively. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were utilized to determine the calcination temperature of precursor sample. The optimized calcination temperature and time are 850 °C and 15 h. The surface of LiMn_1.95Co_0.05O₄ cathode is coated using Al₂O₃ coating materials. The phase structures, surface morphologies, and element types of the prepared LiMn_1.95Co_0.05O₄ and Al₂O₃-coated LiMn_1.95 Co_0.05O₄ were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy spectrum analysis (EDS). The 0.5 wt% Al₂O₃-coated compound exhibited better specific capacity and capacity retention than bare sample. The initial discharge capacity was 140.9 mAh/g and capacity retention was 96.7 % after 10 cycles at 0.1 C. Such enhancements are attributed to the presence of a stable Al₂O₃ layer which acts as the interfacial stabilizer on the surface of LiMn_1.95Co_0.05O₄.     

Electrosynthesis and characterization of poly aniline/garnet nanoparticles for high-performance electrochemical capacitors

In this work, supercapacitive performance of polyaniline/yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG: Y₃Al₅O₁₂) nanoparticles (PANI/YAGNPs) was studied. YAG nanoparticles were synthesized by pulse electro-deposition method and after that, PANI/YAGNPs electrodeposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes through cyclic voltammetry. Morphological studies show that YAG nanoparticles were distributed in the structure of PANI filaments uniformly. XRD and FTIR were used to perform a structural study of materials. Different electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvano static charge discharge (CD), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the applicability of using PANI/YAGNPs as an active material for supercapacitors. The specific capacitance (SC) of PANI and PANI YAG NPs electrodes calculated using CV technique are 240 and 440 F/g, respectively. Increasing the conductivity and stability of composite electrodes during continuous CD cycles compared to PANI ones are some features of using YAG NPs in the structure of polymer electrodes. Stability of composite electrodes remains about 98% through 1000 continuous cycles whereas the polymeric electrode loses about 91% of its capacitance during this time range.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of mesoporous Co3O4 crater-like microspheres as supercapacitor electrode materials

Mesoporous Co₃O₄ microspheres with unique crater-like morphology were obtained by utilizing the mesoporous silica material MCM-41 as a template. The analysis results of N₂ adsorption–desorption measurement indicate that the product has a large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 60 m² g⁻¹ and a narrow pore size distribution centering around 3.7 nm. Its electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The findings reveal that this novel morphology material has a smaller inner resistance of about 0.4 Ω and a higher onset frequency of 550 Hz. This material can provide a high specific capacitance of 102 F g⁻¹ and a large capacity retention of 74% in 500 continuous cycles test at a sweep rate of 3 mV s⁻¹. More significantly, the mass loading of electroactive species can reach as large as 2 mg cm⁻², which is one order of magnitude larger than common amount used.     

Preparation of Co3O4 nanoplate/graphene sheet composites and their synergistic electrochemical performance

Co₃O₄ nanoplate/graphene sheet composites were prepared through a two-step synthetic method. The composite material as prepared was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The platelet-like morphology of Co₃O₄ leads to a layer-by-layer-assembled structure of the composites and a good dispersion of Co₃O₄ nanoplates on the surface of graphene sheets. The electrochemical characteristics indicate that the specific capacitance of the composites is 337.8 F?g^?1 in comparison with the specific capacitance of 204.4 F?g^?1 without graphene sheets. Meanwhile, the composites have an excellent rate capability and cycle performance. The results show that the unique microstructure of the composites enhances the electrochemical capacitive performance of Co₃O₄ nanoplates due to the three-dimensional network of graphene sheets for electron transport increasing electric conductivity of the electrode and providing unobstructed pathways for ionic transport during the electrochemical reaction.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical performance studies of Al2O3-coated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 for lithium-ion batteries

LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanocrystallites were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method, and uniform second particles were formed by a subsequent calcination process. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the as-synthesized material can be indexed by α-NaFeO₂ layered structure with R-3 m space group. The results of Rietveld refinements show the I ₀₀₃/I ₁₀₄ value of the material is 2.032, and the nanostructured material presents low cation mixing, small cell volume, and a consequent suppression of lattice strain. The rate performances of the as-synthesized material can be further improved by coating Al₂O₃. The discharging capacity of Al₂O₃-coated material reaches 154.4 mAh g^?1, and the capacity retention maintains 80.3 % after 50 cycles at 5 C in the voltage range of 2.5 to 4.5 V, while those of the bare one is only 139.0 mAh g^?1 and 71.6 %, respectively. The transmission electron microcopy observation shows no zigzag layer exists on the surface of particle after cycles for Al₂O₃-coated LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂. Compared to bare LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂, the de-intercalation potential difference before and after cycles of Al₂O₃-coated one is smaller. This indicates that Al₂O₃ coating can reduce the electrochemistry polarization in the electrode bulk.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of mesoporous Co3O4 nanobelts by means of a compound precursor

In the present work, high surface area mesoporous cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) nanobelts have been synthesized by thermal treatment of cobalt hydroxide carbonate (CHC) precursors. CHC nanobelts were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. Control experiments with variations in reaction time, solvent and different cobalt source revealed that temperature and sulfates are key factors in determining the formation of CHC nanobelts. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed that the Co₃O₄ nanobelts consisted of mesoporous nanobelts with the average width of 40 nm. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) gas adsorption measurement further indicated that the products presented a rather large surface area (172.09 m² g^?1).     

内嵌碳正八面体形貌Co3O4光催化活性研究

基于脱脂棉为牺牲模板,采用碳辅助法制备了内嵌碳的八面体形貌Co3O4,对其在模拟阳光下的光解水制氢气的能力进行了研究。X射线衍射（XRD）和扫描电镜（SEM）表征分析表明,制备的产物是具有规则正八面体形貌、粒径约为10 m的具有良好晶型的Co3O4。能谱（EDS）和光射线光电子能谱（XPS）结果表明,制备的产物内嵌无定形碳,碳源来自于脱脂棉制备过程中的不完全燃烧。实验结果表明制备的内嵌碳八面体形貌Co3O4具有良好的光解水制氢能力。     

Evidence for core-shell magnetic behavior in antiferromagnetic Co3O4 nanowires

Employing magnetometry measurements, we have studied Co3O4 nanowires focusing on the core-shell behavior. We find two magnetic contributions, i.e., a regular antiferromagnetic and an additional irreversible one. The first contribution can be attributed to the antiferromagnetically ordered wire cores. The nature of the second one can be identified using thermoremanent and isothermoremanent magnetizaton curves as magnetic fingerprints of the irreversible magnetization. We conclude that the nanowire shell behaves like a two-dimensional diluted antiferromagnet in a field.     

Co3O4纳米晶的制备和表征

发现了一种新制备Co3O4纳米晶的新方法。这种方法是先将高分子聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)和乙酸钴溶解到溶剂中缓慢蒸发溶剂,然后干燥形成的前驱体,最后在400℃温度下煅烧制备了Co3O4纳米晶。生成的产物用XRD,SEM,TEM等测试方法进行了表征。结果发现在不同的溶剂中形成前驱体所制备的Co3O4纳米晶具有不同的形貌特征,使用乙醇溶剂时生成了大量的由Co3O4纳米晶自组装形成的Co3O4微米球;而使用水溶剂时则生成的全都是Co3O4纳米晶。实验结果表明在不同溶剂中形成的前驱体对于最终制备的Co3O4纳米晶形态有着很大的影响。     

Co3O4纳米花的合成及其磁性

通过水热和热处理的方法，制备了产物Co3O4纳米花. 用X射线粉末衍射、场发射扫锚电镜、透射电镜和红外光谱等手段对产物进行了表征. 结果表明，产物纳米花是由大量的Co3O4纳米须组成，纳 米须的直径为20?40 nm，长度为100?500 nm，具有纳米孔结构，比表面积约为34.61 m2/g. 磁性测量表明，在零场冷却条件下，产物主要表现为反铁磁性；在加场冷却条件下，闭锁温度约为34K时，产物主要表现为铁磁性．     

Room-temperature synthesis of Mn3O4 nanorods

Nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄ hausmannite has been easily prepared from manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrated, dissolved in a mixture of N,N’-dimethylformamide (DMF) and water (10%) at room temperature, without post-treatment of heating. Stability of the Mn₃O₄ colloidal dispersion was monitored by UV-visible electronic absorption spectroscopy. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern demonstrates its good phase purity. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image shows homogeneous nanorods with a narrow size distribution, being the average diameter and length of 6.58 nm and 17.44 nm, respectively. Moreover, the facility of the hausmannite nanorods to adhere to glass wall in this solvent mixture has allowed the formation of thin films which were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). PACS 81.07.Bc; 81.16.Be; 61.46.+w     

Hydrothermal synthesis and high electrochemical performance of ordered mesoporous Co/CMK-3 nanocomposites

A novel ordered mesoporous Co/CMK-3 nanocomposites were successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method. XRD patterns affirmed that the CoCl₂ entirely reduced to metal Co. Cobalt particles were well-dispersed and embedded in the mesochannels of the CMK-3 according to the nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Electrochemical test shows that cobalt nanoparticle can significantly promote the electrochemical properties of CMK-3 leading to a remarkable enhancement of the reversible capacity, cyclic stability, and rate capacity. The Co/CMK-3 nanocomposites were delivering a high reversible capacity of 674 mAh g^?1 at the current density of 50 mA g^?1 after 50 cycles, which was much higher than that of original CMK-3 (400 mAh g^?1). The Co/CMK-3 nanocomposites also demonstrate an excellent rate capability. The improved lithium storage properties of ordered Co/CMK-3 nanocomposites can be attributed to the CMK-3 that could restrain the aggregation of Co nanoparticles, the large surface area of the mesopores in which the Co nanoparticles are formed, as well as presence of Co which played the role of catalyst could promote the lithium storage reaction.     

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.