Synergistic microwave-assisted synthesised BiCoO/β-Bi₂O₃nanocomposites as an electrode material for high-performance...

In this work, a BiCoO/β-Bi₂O₃nanocomposite was produced through a microwave-assisted method, which enabled them to produce the material rapidly while consuming less energy, and then they tested it as a supercapacitor(SC) electrode material. XRD structural analysis established that the material contained mixed phases with tetragonalβ-Bi₂O₃and cubic BiCoO, creating a distinct heterostructure, which FTIR confirmed through its detection of specific metal-oxygen bonds. FESEM analysis revealed a hierarchical architecture composed of interconnected nanosheets and nanoparticles, which provided the material with multiple electroactive sites. The electrochemical test revealed strong pseudocapacitive behaviour, which produced a specific capacitance value of 664.8 F g^-1at 0.8 A g^-1. The electrode demonstrated excellent rate performance together with minimal internal resistance according to galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy testing results. The nanocomposite demonstrated excellent cycling performance, which allowed it to maintain 91.18% of its capacitance retention after 3000 cycles, while achieving a 91.41% coulombic efficiency. A symmetric device fabricated using the material, which provides appreciable energy and power densities, thus proving its potential for practical use. The BiCoO/β-Bi₂O₃nanocomposite functions as a highly efficient and long-lasting electrode material, which shows promise for advanced SC applications.