Investigation of vanadium oxide/activated carbon composites

Vanadium, known for its low cost, multiple valencies, and exceptional theoretical capacitance (pseudo-capacitance), has been investigated for energy applications. Activated carbon (AC) with its conductive and absorptive properties (EDLC behavior), is a well-established material. The composites synthesized from vanadium and derived ACs from various biomass sources have been reported in the literature. This paper also reports the synthesis of VO₂ nanomorphology on coconut shell-derived activated carbon using a hydrothermal method. SEM and TEM images indicated the VO₂ nanorods grown around AC micro-sized particles and fully interacting with each other. A sample containing more activated charcoal exhibited 545.56 F g^-1 specific capacity at 0.6 A g^-1 current density, which is 8% higher than the sample with less activated charcoal, and it also demonstrated negligible charge transfer resistance. The calculated b value confirmed the mechanism of charge storage. Vanadium has also insulin-enhancing properties for humans; therefore, the synthesized composites were also tested for anti-microbial activity. The results showed that it demonstrated bactericidal activity by inhibiting respiration and damaging the cellular components.