CoMoO4/bamboo charcoal hybrid material for high-energy-density and high cycling stability supercapacitors

Cobalt molybdate nanoflowers decorated bio-waste derived porous activated carbon nanocomposite: A high performance electrode material for supercapacitors

In this work, we report a supercapacitor electrode material based on nano-flower like cobalt molybdate decorated on porous activated carbon derived from waste onion peels (β-CoMoO4-POAC). The obtained POAC exhibits highly porous structure and after the hydrothermal treatment with salts of cobalt and molybdenum, we observed a uniform distribution of β-cobalt molybdate (β-CoMoO4) as nano-flowers on the surface of POAC. The chemical composition, morphology and porosity of the materials were thoroughly analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area measurement. Due to its flower like and highly porous morphology, β-CoMoO4@POAC exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1110.72 F/g at a current density of 1 mA/cm2 with superior cyclic retention of 96.03% after 2000 cycles. The best electrochemical performance exhibited by β-CoMoO4@POAC is mainly due to its high surface area and porous nature of the material which assists in active transport of ions. This study reveals the exceptional electrochemical properties of β-CoMoO4@POAC which could be considered as a potential material for advanced energy storage devices.

N, S, O Self-Doped Carbon Derived from Grapefruit Peel for High-Performance Supercapacitors

The development of high-capacity carbon for supercapacitors is highly desirable but challenging. In this work, we design a N, S, O self-doped carbon electrode (NSOC-800) with high capacitance and good stability via the carbonization of grapefruit peel via a one-step KOH activation method without extra dopants. The existence of heteroatoms enables the NSOC-800 to have a high specific capacitance of 280 F/g and a great cycling performance, with 90.1% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. Moreover, the symmetric supercapacitor with NSOC-800 electrodes delivers a maximum energy density of 5 Wh/kg with a power density of 473 W/kg. Such a promising method to achieve carbon materials with self-doping heteroatwoms is of great significance for developing highly efficient electrodes for energy storage devices.

Reconfiguring the Electronic Structure of Heteroatom Doped Carbon Supported Bimetallic Oxide@Metal Sulfide Core-Shell Heterostructure via In Situ Nb Incorporation toward Extrinsic Pseudocapacitor

High-energy-density battery-type materials have sparked considerable interest as supercapacitors electrode; however, their sluggish charge kinetics limits utilization of redox-active sites, resulting in poor electrochemical performance. Here, the unique core-shell architecture of metal organic framework derived N-S codoped carbon@Co_x S_y micropetals decorated with Nb-incorporated cobalt molybdate nanosheets (Nb-CMO₄ @C_x S_y NC) is demonstrated. Coordination bonding across interfaces and π-π stacking interactions between CMO₄ @C_x S_y and N and, S-C can prevent volume expansion during cycling. Density functional theory analysis reveals that the excellent interlayer and the interparticle conductivity imparted by Nb doping in heteroatoms synergistically alter the electronic states and offer more accessible species, leading to increased electrical conductivity with lower band gaps. Consequently, the optimized electrode has a high specific capacity of 276.3 mAh g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 and retains 98.7% of its capacity after 10 000 charge-discharge cycles. A flexible quasi-solid-state SC with a layer-by-layer deposited reduced graphene oxide /Ti₃ C₂ T_X anode achieves a specific energy of 75.5 Wh kg^-1 (volumetric energy of 1.58 mWh cm^-3 ) at a specific power of 1.875 kWh kg^-1 with 96.2% capacity retention over 10 000 charge-discharge cycles.

Rational Construction of a Ni/CoMoO4 Heterostructure with Strong Ni-O-Co Bonds for Improving Multifunctional Nanozyme Activity

Due to the lack of a general descriptor to predict the activity of nanomaterials, the current exploration of nanozymes mainly depended on trial-and-error strategies, which hindered the effective design of nanozymes. Here, with the help of a large number of Ni-O-Co bonds at the interface of heterostructures, a prediction descriptor was successfully determined to reveal the double enzyme-like activity mechanisms for Ni/CoMoO₄. Additionally, DFT calculations revealed that interface engineering could accelerate the catalytic kinetics of the enzyme-like activity. Ni-O-Co bonds were the main active sites for enzyme-like activity. Finally, the colorimetric signal and intelligent biosensor of Ni/CoMoO₄ based on deep learning were used to detect organophosphorus and ziram sensitively. Meanwhile, the in situ FTIR results uncovered the detection mechanism: the target molecules could block Ni-O-Co active sites at the heterostructure interface leading to the signal peak decreasing. This study not only provided a well design strategy for the further development of nanozymes or other advanced catalysts, but it also designed a multifunctional intelligent biosensor platform. Furthermore, it also provided preferable ideas regarding the catalytic mechanism and detection mechanism of heterostructure nanozymes.

Integration of porous graphitic carbon and carbon fiber framework for ultrahigh sulfur-loading lithium-sulfur battery

A lithium-sulfur battery, a potential next-generation secondary battery, is affected by poor conductivity of sulfur and the dissolution of intermediate polysulfides. Here we report a lithium-sulfur battery with ultrahigh sulfur loading and excellent cycling stability using porous graphitic carbon (PGC) as a high-conductivity carrier of sulfur and carbon fiber with crisscross conductive framework as an electric attachment site of sulfur. PGC is fabricated through a simple and environmentally friendly synthesis process involving high-temperature graphitization in a N₂ atmosphere followed by an annealing process in air. Due to the presence of porous graphitic structure, with C-O termination groups, PGC endows the lithium-sulfur battery system with excellent cycling performance. The lithium-sulfur battery cathode constructed by PGC with a sulfur loading of 2.5 mg cm^-2 still retains a high specific capacity of 734.4 mA h g^-1 after 200 cycles. Meanwhile, an ultrahigh sulfur loading of 12.8 mg cm^-2 for a CR2025 coin cell is achieved, which is the highest sulfur loading reported in the literature for the coin cell. The ultrahigh sulfur loading cell also shows good electrochemical properties, profiting from the mesopores terminated with C-O groups, high specific surface area of 1129.9 m² g^-1 and high-conductivity graphitic structure.

Recent Developments in Supercapacitor Electrodes: A Mini Review

The use of nonrenewable fossil fuels for energy has increased in recent decades, posing a serious threat to human life. As a result, it is critical to build environmentally friendly and low-cost reliable and renewable energy storage solutions. The supercapacitor is a future energy device because of its higher power density and outstanding cyclic stability with a quick charge and discharge process. Supercapacitors, on the other hand, have a lower energy density than regular batteries. It is well known that the electrochemical characteristic of supercapacitors is strongly dependent on electrode materials. The current review highlights advance in the TMOs for supercapacitor electrodes. In addition, the newly discovered hybrid/pseudo-supercapacitors have been discussed. Metal oxides that are employed as electrode materials are the focus of this study. The discovery of nanostructured electrode materials continues to be a major focus of supercapacitor research. To create high-performance electrode materials from a morphological standpoint, various efforts have been attempted. Lastly, we analyze the supercapacitor’s evolving trend and our perspective for the future generations of supercapacitors.

Rice-like and rose-like zinc silicates anchored on amorphous carbon derived from natural reed leaves for high-performance supercapacitors

3D N, S, P-doped rice-like C-Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O (C-ZnSi-N2) and rose-like C-Zn2SiO4 (C-ZnSi-CO2) are derived from reed leaves and used for application in supercapacitors. The as-prepared C-ZnSi architectures with a large number of hierarchical pores and high specific surface area from reed leaves have outstanding electrochemical performance. The obtained C-ZnSi-N2 shows 341 F g-1 at the current density of 0.5 A g-1, while the C-ZnSi-CO2 exhibits 498 F g-1, and both of the C-ZnSi materials significantly retain above 99% of their capacitance after 10 000 cycles. Furthermore, the flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) synthesized from C-ZnSi and activated carbon (denoted as C-ZnSi-N2//AC and C-ZnSi-CO2//AC) achieve a high capacitance (405 and 194 mF cm-2 at the current density of 2 mA cm-2, respectively). Besides, the ASC devices show good cycling stability for 7300 cycles with 73% and 77% capacitance retention. The results presented in this study indicate that the N, S, P-doped C-ZnSi architectures from natural reed leaves are promising and efficient materials for manufacturing high performance supercapacitors.

Transition Metal Oxide Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors: A Review of Recent Developments

In the past decades, the energy consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels has been increasing, which severely threatens human life. Thus, it is very urgent to develop renewable and reliable energy storage devices with features of environmental harmlessness and low cost. High power density, excellent cycle stability, and a fast charge/discharge process make supercapacitors a promising energy device. However, the energy density of supercapacitors is still less than that of ordinary batteries. As is known to all, the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors is largely dependent on electrode materials. In this review, we firstly introduced six typical transition metal oxides (TMOs) for supercapacitor electrodes, including RuO₂, Co₃O₄, MnO₂, ZnO, XCo₂O₄ (X = Mn, Cu, Ni), and AMoO₄ (A = Co, Mn, Ni, Zn). Secondly, the problems of these TMOs in practical application are presented and the corresponding feasible solutions are clarified. Then, we summarize the latest developments of the six TMOs for supercapacitor electrodes. Finally, we discuss the developing trend of supercapacitors and give some recommendations for the future of supercapacitors.

Biochar from Spent Malt Rootlets and Its Application to an Energy Conversion and Storage Device

Activated carbon obtained from biomass wastes was presently studied in order to evaluate its applicability in an energy storage device. Biochar was obtained by the carbonization of spent malt rootlets and was further processed by mild treatment in NaOH. The final product had a specific surface of 362 m2 g−1 and carried Na, P and a few mineral sites. This material was first characterized by several techniques. Then it was used to make a supercapacitor electrode, which reached a specific capacitance of 156 F g−1. The supercapacitor electrode was combined with a photocatalytic fuel cell, making a simple three-electrode device functioning with a single alkaline electrolyte. This device allows solar energy conversion and storage at the same time, promoting the use of biomass wastes for energy applications.

Solar Energy Conversion and Storage Using a Photocatalytic Fuel Cell Combined with a Supercapacitor

This work studies the production of electricity by a photocatalytic fuel cell and its storage in a supercapacitor. We propose a simple construction, where a third electrode bearing activated carbon is added to the device to form a supercapacitor electrode in combination with the supporting electrolyte of the cell. The photocatalytic fuel cell is based on a CdS-sensitized mesoporous TiO2 photoanode and an air cathode bearing only nanoparticulate carbon as an oxygen reduction electrocatalyst.