Microwave synthesized ruthenium antimony oxide-graphene nanocomposite materials for asymmetric supercapacitors

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDWith the rapid rise in energy demand and ever-escalating environmental hazards, the need for transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is of paramount importance, requiring better and efficient energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Supercapacitors are energy storage devices with high power density and long cycle life, but relatively low energy density when compared to batteries. New and advanced electrode materials are required to improve the energy density requirements of next-generation supercapacitors. However, the search for new types of active materials to be used as supercapacitors' electrodes continues to be a tough challenge. Herein, ruthenium antimony oxide (RuSbO) and ruthenium antimony oxide graphene (RuSbO-G) were synthesized via the microwave-assisted method for the first time and tested as a possible electrode material for an asymmetric supercapacitor. Graphene oxide prepared by modified Hummer’s method was exfoliated at low temperature and used for the synthesis of RuSbO-G.202

High stability asymmetric supercapacitor cell developed with novel microwave-synthesized graphene-stabilized ruthenium antimonide nanomaterial

Ruthenium antimony oxide (RuSbO), and ruthenium antimony oxide graphene (RuSbO-G) nanomaterial was synthesized via the microwave-assisted method for the first time and tested as a possible electrode material for an asymmetric supercapacitor device. The formation of the nanocomposites was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images where the RuSbO material showed randomly distributed spherically shaped nanoparticles, and the RuSbO-G showed ruthenium and antimony nanoparticles scattered randomly on the graphene sheets. The SEM-electron dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (SEMEDS) showed significant proof for nanoparticle formation with the elemental composition, while the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the oxidation states of the elements present. Both materials were further characterized in a three-electrode cell setup using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and their electrochemical properties were compared to establish their suitability for energy storage purposes. From the result, different double layer properties were shown by the RuSbO and RuSbO-G in the 1 M Li2SO4 electrolyte. When compared to the RuSbO electrode, the composite had greater energy storage capabilities with a maximum capacitance of 289.47 F g 1 at 0.1 A g 1 current load. An efficiency of ~100 % was reached at a current density of 0.5 A g 1. Subsequently, both materials were used to fabricate a portable asymmetric supercapacitor. The RuSbO-G device yielded a maximum specific capacitance of 167.96 F g 1, resulting in an energy density of 75.58.0 W h kg 1 at a power density of 360 W kg 1 at 0.1 A g 1 current load, with ~100 % charge retention after 4900 cycles. This study turns a new research light on RuSbO based materials as an energy storage material for supercapacitors

Novel heterojunction superstrate Cu2ZnInS4−x (CZIS) thin film kesterite solar cell with vertical arrays of hexagonal ZnO nanorods window layer

Quaternary Cu2ZnInS4−x (CZIS) thin films have been prepared by a facile and cheap sol-gel spin coating technique. Low-temperature solution-based methods were used to fabricate a heterojunction solar cell in the superstrate architecture with CZIS thin film as the absorber, vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays, and CdS as the window and buffer layers respectively. ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared by hydrothermal technique and nanocrystal layer deposition technique were employed for the deposition of CdS-coated ZnO nanorod arrays. CZIS absorber layer was spin coated on the CdS-coated ZnO nanorod arrays and annealed at different temperatures. The vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays, and uniformly distributed CdS shell layer were confirmed from morphological studies. The device had a final configuration of Glass/ITO/ZnO NRs/CdS/ CZIS/Ag. HRSEM revealed a nanoflake-like morphology and a band gap between 1.5 and 1.77 eV for the CZIS thin films. CZIS superstrate solar cell had a power conversion efficiency of ∼ 0.61%, an open circuit voltage of ∼ 0.8 V, a short circuit current of ∼ 0.95 mA cm−2 and a fill factor of ∼ 61.35%. This method demonstrates a novel, facile and eco-friendly technique for synthesizing nanocrystalline CZIS thin films with promising photo response from the fabricated device indicating a proof of principle that this material can find application in solar cells.University of the Western Cap

Pseudocapacitive Effects of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Functionalised Spinel Copper Manganese Oxide

Spinel copper manganese oxide nanoparticles combined with acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CuMn2O4/MWCNTs) were used in the development of electrodes for pseudocapacitor applications. The CuMn2O4/MWCNTs preparation involved initial synthesis of Mn3O4 and CuMn2O4 precursors followed by an energy efficient reflux growth method for the CuMn2O4/MWCNTs. The CuMn2O4/MWCNTs in a three-electrode cell assembly and in 3 M LiOH aqueous electrolyte exhibited a specific capacitance of 1652.91 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 current load. Similar investigation in 3 M KOH aqueous electrolyte delivered a specific capacitance of 653.41 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 current load. Stability studies showed that after 6000 cycles, the CuMn2O4/MWCNTs electrode exhibited a higher capacitance retention (88%) in LiOH than in KOH (64%). The higher capacitance retention and cycling stability with a Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% observed in the LiOH is an indication of a better charge storage behaviour in this electrolyte than in the KOH electrolyte with a Coulombic efficiency of 97.3%. This superior performance in the LiOH electrolyte than in the KOH electrolyte is attributed to an intercalation/de-intercalation mechanism which occurs more easily in the LiOH electrolyte than in the KOH electrolyte