Investigation on structural,morphological, and electrochemical properties of mesoporous cobalt oxide-infiltrated NaY zeolite

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new mesoporous cobalt oxide-infiltrated NaY zeolite prepared by ion-exchange route. The scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) image shows homogenous and uniform grains size distributions smaller than 1 μm, unlike to CoO_x particles, elaborated under the same conditions. The energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) data confirm the presence of cobalt, oxygen, silicon, and aluminum. The X-ray diffraction indicates a partial crystallization of cobalt oxide and the formation of new phases. N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement shows a high-specific surface area for the modified material (579 m² g^?1), with Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore diameters in the range (3–8 nm). The cyclic voltammetry indicates a typical faradic process, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy exhibits Warburg diffusion at low frequencies. The charge-discharge curve shows a clear improvement in the charge capacity of the modified material compared to CoO_x, due to the increased specific surface area. The galvanostatic charge-discharge tests of the modified electrode exhibit a typical battery behavior preceded by a pseudo-capacitive phenomenon.