Ni(OH)2-decorated nitrogen doped MWCNT nanosheets as an efficient electrode for high performance supercapacitors

Advances in Printed Electronic Textiles

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) have emerged as a revolutionary solution for personalized healthcare, enabling the continuous collection and communication of diverse physiological parameters when seamlessly integrated with the human body. Among various methods employed to create wearable e-textiles, printing offers unparalleled flexibility and comfort, seamlessly integrating wearables into garments. This has spurred growing research interest in printed e-textiles, due to their vast design versatility, material options, fabrication techniques, and wide-ranging applications. Here, a comprehensive overview of the crucial considerations in fabricating printed e-textiles is provided, encompassing the selection of conductive materials and substrates, as well as the essential pre- and post-treatments involved. Furthermore, the diverse printing techniques and the specific requirements are discussed, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each method. Additionally, the multitude of wearable applications made possible by printed e-textiles is explored, such as their integration as various sensors, supercapacitors, and heated garments. Finally, a forward-looking perspective is provided, discussing future prospects and emerging trends in the realm of printed wearable e-textiles. As advancements in materials science, printing technologies, and design innovation continue to unfold, the transformative potential of printed e-textiles in healthcare and beyond is poised to revolutionize the way wearable technology interacts and benefits.

Microwave-Assisted Rational Designed CNT-Mn3 O4 /CoWO4 Hybrid Nanocomposites for High Performance Battery-Supercapacitor Hybrid Device

Extensive research interest in hybrid battery-supercapacitor (BSH) devices have led to the development of cathode materials with excellent comprehensive electrochemical properties. In this work, carbon nanotube (CNT)-Mn3 O4 /CoWO4 triple-segment hybrid electrode is synthesized by using a two-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. Systematic physical characterization revealed that, with the assistance of microwave, granular Mn3 O4 and spheroid-like CoWO4 with preferred orientation, and oxygen vacancies are stacked or arranged on CNTs skeletons to construct a rational designed hybrid nanocomposite with abundant heterointerfaces and interfacial chemical bonds. Electrochemical evaluations show that the synergistic cooperation in CNT-Mn3 O4 /CoWO4 resulted in an ultra-high specific capacity (1907.5 C g-1 /529.8 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 ), a wide operating voltage window (1.15 V), the satisfactory rate capability (capacity maintained at 1016.5 C g-1 /282.3 mA h g-1 at 15 A g-1 ), and excellent cycling stability (117.2% initial capacity retention after 13000 cycles at 15 A g-1 ). In addition, the assembled CNT-Mn3 O4 /CoWO4 //N doped porous carbon (NC) BSH device delivered a stable working voltage of 2.05 V and superior energy density of 67.5 Wh kg-1 at power density of 1025 W kg-1 , as well as excellent stability (92.2% capacity retained at 5 A g-1 for 12600 cycles). This work provides a new and feasible tactic to develop high-performance transition metal oxide-based cathodes for advanced BSH devices.

Durable superhydrophobic/superoleophilic melamine foam based on biomass-derived porous carbon and multi-walled carbon nanotube for oil/water separation

In the present study, fabrications of two eco-friendly superhydrophobic/superoleophilic recyclable foamy-based adsorbents for oil/water mixture separation were developed. Hierarchically biomass (celery)-derived porous carbon (PC) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were firstly synthesized and loaded on pristine melamine foam (MF) by the simple dip-coating approach by combining silicone adhesive to create superhydrophobic/superoleophilic, recyclable, and reusable three-dimensional porous structure. The prepared samples have a large specific surface area of 240 m²/g (MWCNT), 1126 m²/g (PC), and good micro-mesoporous frameworks. The water contact angle (WCA) values of the as-prepared foams, PC/MF and MWCNT/MF, not only were 159.34° ± 1.9° and 156.42° ± 1.6°, respectively but also had oil contact angle (OCA) of equal to 0° for a wide range of oils and organic solvents. Therefore, PC/MF and MWCNT/MF exhibited superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity properties, which can be considered effective adsorbents in oil/water mixture separations. In this context, superhydrophobic/superoleophilic prepared foams for kind of different oils and organic solvents were shown to have superior separation performance ranges of 54-143 g/g and 46-137 g/g for PC/MF and MWCNT/MF, respectively, suggesting a new effective porous material for separating oil spills. Also, outstanding recyclability and reusability of these structures in the ten adsorption-squeezing cycles indicated that the WCA and sorption capacity has not appreciably changed after soaking into acidic (pH = 2) and alkaline (pH = 12) as well as saline (3.5% NaCl) solutions. More importantly, the reusability and chemical durability of the superhydrophobic samples made them good opportunities for use in different harsh conditions for oil-spill cleanup.

Magnetic patterning of Co/Ni layered systems by plasma oxidation

We studied the structural, chemical, and magnetic properties of Ti/Au/Co/Ni layered systems subjected to plasma oxidation. The process results in the formation of NiO at the expense of metallic Ni, as clearly evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while not affecting the surface roughness and grain size of the Co/Ni bilayers. Since the decrease of the thickness of the Ni layer and the formation of NiO increase the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, oxidation may be locally applied for magnetic patterning. Using this approach, we created 2D heterostructures characterized by different combinations of magnetic properties in areas modified by plasma oxidation and in the regions protected from oxidation. As plasma oxidation is an easy to use, low cost, and commonly utilized technique in industrial applications, it may constitute an improvement over other magnetic patterning methods.

Smart Electronic Textile-Based Wearable Supercapacitors

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) have drawn significant attention from the scientific and engineering community as lightweight and comfortable next-generation wearable devices due to their ability to interface with the human body, and continuously monitor, collect, and communicate various physiological parameters. However, one of the major challenges for the commercialization and further growth of e-textiles is the lack of compatible power supply units. Thin and flexible supercapacitors (SCs), among various energy storage systems, are gaining consideration due to their salient features including excellent lifetime, lightweight, and high-power density. Textile-based SCs are thus an exciting energy storage solution to power smart gadgets integrated into clothing. Here, materials, fabrications, and characterization strategies for textile-based SCs are reviewed. The recent progress of textile-based SCs is then summarized in terms of their electrochemical performances, followed by the discussion on key parameters for their wearable electronics applications, including washability, flexibility, and scalability. Finally, the perspectives on their research and technological prospects to facilitate an essential step towards moving from laboratory-based flexible and wearable SCs to industrial-scale mass production are presented.

Trimetallic Oxides/GO Composites Optimized with Carbon Ions Radiations for Supercapacitive Electrodes

Hydrothermally synthesized electrodes of Co3O4@MnO2@NiO/GO were produced for use in supercapacitors. Graphene oxide (GO) was incorporated into the nanocomposites used for electrode synthesis due to its great surface area and electrical conductivity. The synergistic alliance among these composites and GO enhances electrode performance, life span, and stability. The structural properties obtained from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results suggest that nanocomposites are crystalline in nature. The synergistic alliance among these composites and GO enhances electrode performance, life span, and stability. Performance assessment of these electrodes indicates that their characteristic performance was enhanced by C2+ radiation, with the uttermost performance witnessed for electrodes radiated with 5.0 × 1015 ions/cm2.

Highly Sensitive Hybrid Nanostructures for Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate Detection

Nanostructured materials synthesized by the hydrothermal and thermal reduction process were tested to detect the dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) as a simulant for chemical warfare agents. Manganese oxide nitrogen-doped graphene oxide with polypyrrole (MnO2@NGO/PPy) exhibited the sensitivity of 51 Hz for 25 ppm of DMMP and showed the selectivity of 1.26 Hz/ppm. Nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotube (N-MWCNT) demonstrated good linearity with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. A comparison between a surface acoustic wave and quartz crystal microbalance sensor exhibited more than 100-times higher sensitivity of SAW sensor than QCM sensor.

Cellulose Nanofiber Composite with Bimetallic Zeolite Imidazole Framework for Electrochemical Supercapacitors

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and hybrid zeolite imidazole framework (HZ) are an emerging biomaterial and a porous carbonous material, respectively. The composite of these two materials could have versatile physiochemical characteristics. A cellulose nanofiber and cobalt-containing zeolite framework-based composite was prepared using an in-situ and eco-friendly chemical method followed by pyrolysis. The composite was comprised of cobalt nanoparticles decorated on highly graphitized N-doped nanoporous carbons (NPC) wrapped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced from the direct carbonization of HZ. By varying the ratio of CNF in the composite, we determined the optimal concentration and characterized the derived samples using sophisticated techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the functionalization of CNF in the metallic cobalt-covered N-doped NPC wrapped with CNTs. The CNF–HZNPC composite electrodes show superior electrochemical performance, which is suitable for supercapacitor applications; its specific capacitance is 146 F/g at 1 A/g. Furthermore, the composite electrodes retain a cycling stability of about 90% over 2000 charge–discharge cycles at 10 A/g. The superior electrochemical properties of the cellulose make it a promising candidate for developing electrodes for energy storage applications.

Nickel-Graphene Nanoplatelet Deposited on Carbon Fiber as Binder-Free Electrode for Electrochemical Supercapacitor Application

A binder-free process for the electrode preparation for supercapacitor application was suggested by drop casting graphene nanoplatelets on a carbon fiber (GnP@CF) followed by electrodeposition of Ni nanoparticles (NPs). The microstructure of the electrode showed that Ni was homogeneously distributed over the surface of the GnP@CF. XRD analysis confirmed the cubic structure of metallic Ni NPs. The Ni-GnP@CF electrode showed excellent pseudocapacitive behavior in alkaline solution by exhibiting a specific capacitance of 480 F/g at 1.0 A/g, while it was 375 F/g for Ni@CF. The low value of series resistance of Ni-GnP@CF (1 Ω) was attributed to the high capacitance. The enhanced capacitance of the electrode could be correlated to the highly nanoporous structure of the composite material, synergetic effect of the electrical double layer charge-storage properties of graphene, and the pseudocapacitive nature of Ni NPs.

Progress in supercapacitors: roles of two dimensional nanotubular materials

Overcoming the global energy crisis due to vast economic expansion with the advent of human reliance on energy-consuming labor-saving devices necessitates the demand for next-generation technologies in the form of cleaner energy storage devices. The technology accelerates with the pace of developing energy storage devices to meet the requirements wherever an unanticipated burst of power is indeed needed in a very short time. Supercapacitors are predicted to be future power vehicles because they promise faster charging times and do not rely on rare elements such as lithium. At the same time, they are key nanoscale device elements for high-frequency noise filtering with the capability of storing and releasing energy by electrostatic interactions between the ions in the electrolyte and the charge accumulated at the active electrode during the charge/discharge process. There have been several developments to increase the functionality of electrodes or finding a new electrolyte for higher energy density, but this field is still open to witness the developments in reliable materials-based energy technologies. Nanoscale materials have emerged as promising candidates for the electrode choice, especially in 2D sheet and folded tubular network forms. Due to their unique hierarchical architecture, excellent electrical and mechanical properties, and high specific surface area, nanotubular networks have been widely investigated as efficient electrode materials in supercapacitors, while maintaining their inherent characteristics of high power and long cycling life. In this review, we briefly present the evolution, classification, functionality, and application of supercapacitors from the viewpoint of nanostructured materials to apprehend the mechanism and construction of advanced supercapacitors for next-generation storage devices.

Porous materials of nitrogen doped graphene oxide@SnO2 electrode for capable supercapacitor application

The porous materials of SnO₂@NGO composite was synthesized by thermal reduction process at 550 °C in presence ammonia and urea as catalyst. In this process, the higher electrostatic attraction between the SnO₂@NGO nanoparticles were anchored via thermal reduction reaction. These synthesized SnO₂@ NGO composites were confirmed by Raman, XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, and EDX results. The SnO₂ nanoparticles were anchored in the NGO composite in the controlled nanometer scale proved by FE-TEM and BET analysis. The SnO₂@NGO composite was used to study the electrochemical properties of CV, GCD, and EIS analysis for supercapacitor application. The electrochemical properties of SnO₂@NGO exhibited the specific capacitance (~378 F/g at a current density of 4 A/g) and increasing the cycle stability up to 5000 cycles. Therefore, the electrochemical results of SnO₂@NGO composite could be promising for high-performance supercapacitor applications.