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Core-double shell ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 heterostructure as high performance pseudocapacitor.
Sanjit Sarkar1, Sandipan Maiti2, Sourindra Mahanty2
1Department of Solid State Physics, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India. sspdb@iacs.res.in.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|May 11, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed novel ZnO@Co3O4 and ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 core-shell structures for advanced pseudocapacitors. These materials demonstrate significantly improved capacitance and energy density, paving the way for better energy storage devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Core-shell heterostructures are crucial for enhancing pseudocapacitor (SC) performance.
- Developing efficient and scalable synthesis methods for these materials is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize ZnO@Co3O4 and ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 core-shell heterostructures using a low-temperature solution-based method.
- To investigate the electrochemical properties and pseudocapacitor performance of these novel heterostructures.
- To explore the effect of surface modification with ZnS on the capacitance and rate performance.
Main Methods:
- Low-temperature solution-based synthesis of ZnO@Co3O4 core-shell heterostructures.
- Further modification to create ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 core-double shell heterostructures.
- Electrochemical characterization including capacitance measurements at various current densities and power/energy density analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved a pseudocapacitance of 296 C g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) for ZnO@Co3O4.
- Obtained an improved capacitance of 317 C g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1) for ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4, attributed to efficient ZnS to ZnO charge transfer.
- Demonstrated high energy density (36 Wh kg(-1) at 204.3 W kg(-1)) and excellent rate capability (14.7 Wh kg(-1) at 10.9 kW kg(-1)).
Conclusions:
- The synthesized ZnO@Co3O4 and ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 heterostructures show promising performance as electrodes for pseudocapacitors.
- Surface modification with ZnS significantly enhances capacitance and rate performance due to improved charge transfer.
- This study presents the first investigation into the electrochemical properties of ZnO/ZnS@Co3O4 heterostructures for energy storage applications.
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