Fish bladder-based activated porous carbon/co3o4/tio2 composite electrodes for supercapacitors
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Date
2020-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
NM-AIST
Abstract
Supercapacitors as energy storage devices depend on electrode materials, electrolyte and
conductive additives. In relation to the above, this master’s dissertation specifically provides
a scientific understanding and knowledge to the society on the use of fish bladder derived
porous carbon for cobalt oxide/titanium dioxide/activated carbon (Co3O4/TiO2/Ac) composite
as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. Fish bladder was used as a carbon
source for the composite after carbonization and chemical activation. Composites of
Co3O4/TiO2/Ac, Co3O4/Ac, and TiO2/Ac were later synthesized using simple impregnation
method followed by heat treatment and thereafter in-depth investigation on the active
material was carried out through material characterization and electrochemical testing. X-ray
diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Co3O4 and TiO2 nano
phases were well embedded over carbon matrices. Fourier transfer infra-red (FT-IR)
measurements showed that the active material had oxygen containing functional groups.
Cyclic voltammetry curves demonstrated that specific capacitance of the active material was
946 Fg
-1
for Co3O4/TiO2/Ac as compared to Co3O4/Ac, TiO2/Ac, and Ac with specific
capacitances of 845 F g-1
, 340 F g
-1
, and 308 F g
-1
, respectively at a scan rate of 5 mVs
-1
.
Impedance spectroscopy revealed good capacitive behavior with a series resistance of 0.5 Ω,
0.52 Ω, 0.6 Ω, and 1.1 Ω for Ac, Co3O4/Ac, Co3O4/TiO2/Ac, and TiO2/Ac, respectively.
Excellent electrochemical performances observed for the Co3O4/TiO2/Ac electrode was a
result of individual contribution of different characteristics of the binary metal oxides such as
improved electric conductivity and wettability of the composites associated with porous
carbon and TiO2.
Sustainable Development Goals
A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering at the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and Technology
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES