Role of NaOH concentration on synthesis and characterization of β-V2O5 nanorods by solvothermal method

In this work, synthesis of β-V2O5 nanorods by solvothermal method was adopted at optimum experimental conditions by varying the concentration of NaOH as 0.5M, 1M, 1.5M and 2M. The obtained products were characterization by following techniques, XRD, RAMAN, FTIR, and FESEM. The XRD results reveal the formation of β-V2O5 nanorods and its crystalline nature was confirmed by its lattice parameters. The Raman analysis shows a peak at 485, 770 and 998 cm−1 corresponds to the vibration of O-V-O bonds. Similarly the FITR peaks appeared at the 530 and 786 cm−1 can be attributed to the symmetric stretching of Metal Oxide (V-O). The morphology and its structure of β-V2O5 nanorods can be analysized by the FESEM techniques and its images shows the formation of β-V2O5 nanorods with different dimensions. The role of concentration of NaOH can be studied by comparing the FESEM micrographs. It is clearly evident from FESEM images as the concentration of NaOH increases from 0.5 M to 2M, the shape and size of the change rapidly and the surface effect results in the mesoporous features on the surface of nanorods. Its note worthy as the concentration of NaOH increases results in the flattening of nanorods could be observed due more of interaction of NaOH precursor solution.Published versio

MnCo2O4 nanosphere synthesis for electrochemical applications

The present work addresses the important need of new materials to improve energy storage materials. The synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanospheres by employing solvothermal method at different incubation times was carried out. The effects of reaction time on structural, morphological, and electrochemical studies were briefly investigated. The X-ray diffraction result unveils the formation of cubic-structured MnCo2O4 nanospheres with Fd3m (2 2 7) space group. The appearance of two Raman peaks at 480 and 662 cm−1 was greatly attributed to the stretching vibration mode of M–O (M = Mn, Co), and substantiates the formation of MnCo2O4. The presence of functional group and characteristics group was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscope image clearly indicated different sizes of nanoparticles due to the effect of solvothermal reaction period. The energy storage behavior of MnCo2O4 nanospheres was studied by employing the cyclic voltammetric and charge–discharge cycles. The results confirmed the pseudocapacitive nature of MnCo2O4 nanoparticles (RF3) with porous, spherical nanostructure with larger radius than others and contribute to better specific capacitance of 252 F g−1 at current density of 1 A g−1 which could be considered as a potential candidate for pseudocapacitive electrode for energy storage devices. Keywords: Cubic, MnCo2O4, Nanospheres, PVP, Fd3m (2 2 7) space group, Energy storag

Mapping and Scientometric Measures on Research Publications of Energy Storage and Conversion

The present work investigated mapping and scientometric techniques adopt on the publications towards analysis the research trend in energy storage and conversion. The research was conducted based on Web of Science data for the 1993-2021 periods. The study found out that India's research effort in the energy storage and conversion field was significantly less than world production for all years in the study period from 1993 to 2021. Although the research performance of the contribution of scientists rose to peak levels with over a thousand publications between 2014 and 2021, were the highest-rated collaborative authors with 10 (45.45%) of the publications of the Alagappa University. The main types of sources were published as articles with 23,394 (88.7%) publications. Research articles engaged the first position, Wang Y tops the list with 322 (1.22%) publications, followed by Zhang Y, Wang J, Li Y, Liu J, Zhang L, Liu Y, and Wang L had the 2nd to 8th position for them, of which more than 200 publications testify. It was found that the largest number of published papers in chemistry was 4,444 with 12,103 (45.89%) of the publications, Chinese Peoples were with 12,145 (46.05%) devoted about half of the research publications shared in energy storage and conversion applications

SmNiO₃/SWCNT perovskite composite for hybrid supercapacitor

Modern world has an unparalleled focus on science and technology as an energy storage device as a promising alternative sources to tackle the growing energy crisis and play an important role in economic development. Thus, new approaches and novel promising electrode materials are trying to overcome high energy density without reducing supercapacitors power density and a long lifetime stability. Accordingly, rational flower like structural control of rare earth nickelate-based composite electrodes is also important but very challenging. The role of carbon composites such as single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with samarium nickelate (SmNiO3) is studied. Herein, the perovskite rare earth SmNiO3, SmNiO3/MWCNT and SmNiO3/SWCNT composites are prepared as potential electrode materials by solvothermal method and never reported before as electrode for supercapacitors. An asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor (SmNiO3/SWCNT//CNT) was fabricated and presented specific capacitance, energy and power density of 170.58 F/g, 53.30 Wh/kg and 749.88 W/kg at 1 A/g. The assembled asymmetric hybrid device exhibited 79.34 % of capacitance retention and 97.52 % of coulombic efficiency even after the continuous 20,000 long cycles. These superior electrochemical properties make the hybrid microflower rare earth nickelate as a good candidate for next generation electrodes in hybrid supercapacitors.This work was supported by MHRD, RUSA–Phase 2, UGC-SAP, DSTFIST, and PURSE grants

Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of ZnCo2O4 microspheres

Zinc cobalt oxide (ZnCo2O4) microspheres are prepared at three different hydrothermal process temperatures (100 °C, 130 °C, and 160 °C) assisted with urea. XRD studies reveal the spinel face-centered cubic (Fd3m) structure of ZnCo2O4 microspheres. The optical and vibrational properties of the product are characterized by photoluminescence and FTIR studies. The strong nearband edge emission peak observed at 392 nm corresponds to the direct recombination of the exciton-exciton collision process for all three synthesized products; SEM analysis reveals the complete growth stage of spherical ZnCo2O4 microspheres at three different temperatures. The electrochemical properties of synthesized ZnCo2O4 microspheres are analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, electroimpedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charging and discharging studies. ZnCo2O4 microspheres (SH3–160 °C) exhibit the superior specific capacitance of 500 F/g at 0.75 A/g current density and retain their specific capacitance of 80% at current density 2 A/g. ZnCo2O4 microspheres (SH3–160 °C) may be considered as a good candidate as electrode in supercapacitor applications.This work was supported by UGC Start-Up Research Grant No. F.30-326/2016 (BSR)

Nickel-cobalt hydroxide: a positive electrode for supercapacitor applications

So far, numerous metal oxides and metal hydroxides have been reported as an electrode material, a critical component in supercapacitors that determines the operation window of the capacitor. Among them, nickel and cobalt-based materials are studied extensively due to their high capacitance nature. However, the pure phase of hydroxides does not show a significant effect on cycle life. The observed XRD results revealed the phase structures of the obtained Ni(OH)2 and Co–Ni(OH)2 hydroxides. The congruency of the peak positions of Ni(OH)2 and Co–Ni(OH)2 is attributed to the homogeneity of the physical and chemical properties of the as-prepared products. The obtained results from XPS analysis indicated the presence of Co and the chemical states of the as-prepared composite active electrode materials. The SEM analysis revealed that the sample had the configuration of agglomerated particle nature. Moreover, the morphology and structure of the hydroxide materials impacted their charge storage properties. Thus, in this study, Ni(OH)2 and Co–Ni(OH)2 composite materials were produced via a hydrothermal method to obtain controllable morphology. The electrochemical properties were studied. It was observed that both the samples experienced a pseudocapacitive behavior, which was confirmed from the CV curves. For the electrode materials Ni(OH)2 and Co–Ni(OH)2, the specific capacitance (Cs) of about 1038 F g−1 and 1366 F g−1, respectively, were observed at the current density of 1.5 A g−1. The Ni–Co(OH)2 composite showed high capacitance when compared with Ni(OH)2. The cycle index was determined for the electrode materials and it indicated excellent stability. The stability of the cell was investigated up to 2000 cycles, and the cell showed excellent retention of 96.26%