Electrochemical deposition of Co3O4 thin layers in order to protect the nickel-based molten carbonate fuel cell cathode

A flexible, transparent and super-long-life supercapacitor based on ultrafine Co3O4 nanocrystal electrodes

Flexible and transparent supercapacitors, as advanced energy storage devices, are essential for the development of innovative wearable electronics because of their unique optical and mechanical qualities. However, all previous designs are based on carbon-based nanostructures like carbon nanotubes and graphene, and these devices usually have poor or short cycling lives. Here, we demonstrate a high-performance, flexible, transparent, and super-long-life supercapacitor made from ultrafine Co3O4 nanocrystals synthesized using a novel process involving laser ablation in liquid. The fabricated flexible and transparent pseudocapacitor exhibits a high capacitance of 177 F g(-1) on a mass basis and 6.03 mF cm(-2) based on the area of the active material at a scan rate of 1 mV s(-1), as well as a super-long cycling life with 100% retention rate after 20 000 cycles. An optical transmittance of up to 51% at a wavelength of 550 nm is achieved, and there are not any obvious changes in the specific capacitance after bending from 0° to 150°, even after bending over 100 times. The integrated electrochemical performance of the Co3O4-based supercapacitor is greatly superior to that of the carbon-based ones reported to date. These findings open the door to applications of transition metal oxides as advanced electrode materials in flexible and transparent pseudocapacitors.

Synthesis and characterisation of nickel oxide nanofibre webs with alcohol sensing characteristics

NiO nanofibers were fabricated using poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) as sacrificial base and the alcohol sensing properties of the NiO nanofibers were evaluated.

Colloidal polymerization of polymer-coated ferromagnetic nanoparticles into cobalt oxide nanowires

The preparation of polystyrene-coated cobalt oxide nanowires is reported via the colloidal polymerization of polymer-coated ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles (PS-CoNPs). Using a combination of dipolar nanoparticle assembly and a solution oxidation of preorganized metallic colloids, interconnected nanoparticles of cobalt oxide spanning micrometers in length were prepared. The colloidal polymerization of PS-CoNPs into cobalt oxide (CoO and Co(3)O(4)) nanowires was achieved by bubbling O(2) into PS-CoNP dispersions in 1,2-dichlorobenzene at 175 degrees C. Calcination of thin films of PS-coated cobalt oxide nanowires afforded Co(3)O(4) metal oxide materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the formation of interconnected nanoparticles of cobalt oxide with hollow inclusions, arising from a combination of dipolar assembly of PS-CoNPs and the nanoscale Kirkendall effect in the oxidation reaction. Using a wide range of spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization techniques, we demonstrate that cobalt oxide nanowires prepared via this novel methodology were electroactive with potential applications as nanostructured electrodes for energy storage.

Preparation and Characterization of Copper-Doped Cobalt Oxide Electrodes

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and copper-doped cobalt oxide (CuxCo(3-x)O4) films have been prepared onto titanium support by the thermal decomposition method. The electrodes have been characterized by different techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect on the electrochemical and crystallographic properties and surface morphology of the amount of copper in the oxide layer has been analyzed. The XPS spectra correspond to a characteristic monophasic Cu-Co spinel oxides when x is below 1. However, when the copper content exceeds that for the stoichiometric CuCo2O4 spinel, a new CuO phase segregates at the surface. The analysis of the surface cation distribution indicates that Cu(II) has preference for octahedral sites.