Synergistic Design of Co3O4 Nanoparticles for Advanced Supercapacitor Electrodes: Hydrothermal Synthesis, Characterization, and Performance Evaluation
Published: 2024-05-25
Page: 227-237
Issue: 2024 - Volume 7 [Issue 2]
Muhammad Fahad Ather *
Key Laboratory for Physical Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China.
Malka Tassaduq
Department of Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Ashraf Hussain
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
Tayyaba Munawar
Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.
Rafia Ismail
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
Abdul Basit Abbasi
Department of Electrical Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Wah Campus, 47040 Wah Cantt, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ibrahim
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Faqeer Muhammad
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The potential of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles, synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, as electrode materials for supercapacitors is investigated in this research. Through a comprehensive characterization approach involving X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface wettability analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, the structural and morphological properties of the synthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles were thoroughly examined. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of the cubic phase of Co3O4, while FT-IR spectroscopy revealed the characteristic Co-O bonds. SEM imaging showcased the non-uniform aggregation of nanoparticles. BET analysis provided crucial insights into surface area and pore radius parameters. Notably, Co3O4 nanoparticles exhibited hydrophilic behavior. In the presence of KOH electrolyte, Co3O4-carbon cloth (CC) electrodes demonstrated exceptional specific capacitances (Cs) of 132 Fg-1 in KOH and 79 Fg-1 in Na2SO4, coupled with outstanding cycling stability (~75% retention after 500 cycles) in KOH, underscoring their potential as promising electrode materials for supercapacitor applications.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Co3O4 nanoparticles, hydrothermal method, characterization, supercapacitor application