High-power density electrode for supercapacitor applications: bismuth trioxide resolsinol formaldehyde xerogel

The primary aim of this research is to develop a high-performance, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective supercapacitor electrode material. By enriching Resorcinol-Formaldehyde (RF) xerogel with bismuth trioxide (Bi₂O₃), the study aims to design an innovative electrode with high specific capacitance and rapid charge/discharge capability. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the Bi₂O₃/RF xerogel structure. Electrochemical performance, evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests, demonstrated that the 10% Bi₂O₃/RF xerogel achieved a maximum specific capacitance of 45.2 F g⁻¹ and an energy density of 25.2 Wh kg⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, the 5% Bi-doped xerogel exhibited a power density of 613.9 W kg⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹. These results reveal a remarkable combination of high energy and power densities compared to xerogel-based supercapacitors with different dopants, highlighting the material's strong potential for advanced energy storage applications.