ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the development and optimization of MoO3 films on commercially available FTO substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. By carefully selecting deposition conditions and implementing post-treatment procedures, precise control over crystallite orientation relative to the substrate is achieved. Deposition at 450 °C in O2 atmosphere results in random crystallite arrangement, while introducing argon instead of oxygen to the PLD chamber during the initial stage of sputtering exposes the (102) and (011) facets. On the other hand, room temperature deposition leads to the formation of amorphous film, but after appropriate post-annealing treatment, the (00k) facets were exposed. The deposited films are studied using SEM and XRD techniques. Moreover, electrochemical properties of FTO/MoO3 electrodes immersed in 1 M AlCl3 aqueous solution are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that different electrochemical processes are promoted based on the orientation of crystallites. When the (102) and (011) facets are exposed, the Al3+ ions intercalation induced by polarization is facilitated, while the (00k) planes exposure leads to the diminished hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential.
ABSTRACT
In this work, for the first time, the influence of scaling up the process of titanium dioxide nanotube (TiO2NT) synthesis on the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 nanotubes is presented. Titanium dioxide nanotubes were obtained on substrates of various sizes: 2 × 2, 4 × 4, 5 × 5, 6 × 6, and 8 × 8 cm2. The electrode material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy as well as Raman and UV-vis spectroscopy in order to investigate their morphology, crystallinity, and absorbance ability, respectively. The obtained electrodes were used as photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical water splitting. The surface analysis was performed, and photocurrent values were determined depending on their place on the sample. Interestingly, the values of the obtained photocurrent densities in the center of each sample were similar and were about 80 µA·cm2. The results of our work show evidence of a significant contribution to wider applications of materials based on TiO2 nanotubes not only in photoelectrochemistry but also in medicine, supercapacitors, and sensors.
ABSTRACT
Tin oxide is one of the most promising electrode materials as a negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries due to its higher theoretical specific capacity than graphite. However, it suffers lack of stability due to volume changes and low electrical conductivity while cycling. To overcome these issues, a new composite consisting of SnO2 and carbonaceous matrix was fabricated. Naturally abundant and renewable chitosan was chosen as a carbon source. The electrode material exhibiting 467 mAh g-1 at the current density of 18 mA g-1 and a capacity fade of only 2% after 70 cycles is a potential candidate for graphite replacement. Such good electrochemical performance is due to strong interaction between amine groups from chitosan and surface hydroxyl groups of SnO2 at the preparation stage. However, the charge storage is mainly contributed by a diffusion-controlled process showing that the best results might be obtained for low current rates.
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we demonstrate a novel, electrochemical route of polyaniline/tungsten oxide (PANI)/WO3) film preparation. Polyaniline composite film was electrodeposited on the FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) substrate from the aqueous electrolyte that contained aniline (monomer) and exfoliated WO3 as a source of counter ions. The chemical nature of WO3 incorporated in the polyaniline matrix was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) showed the impact of WO3 presence on the morphology of polyaniline film. PANI/WO3 film was tested as an electrode material in an acidic electrolyte. Performed measurements showed the electroactivity of both components and enhanced electrochemical stability of PANI/WO3 in comparison with PANI/Cl. Thus, PANI/WO3 electrodes were utilized to construct the symmetric supercapacitors. The impact of capacitive and diffusion-controlled processes on the mechanism of electrical energy storage was quantitatively determined. Devices exhibited high electrochemical capacity of 135 mF cm-2 (180 F g-1) and satisfactory retention rate of 70% after 10,000 cycles. The electrochemical energy storage device exhibited 1075.6 W kg-1 of power density and 12.25 Wh kg-1 of energy density. We also investigated the photocatalytic performance of the deposited film. Photodegradation efficiencies of methylene blue and methyl orange using PANI/WO3 and PANI/Cl were compared. The mechanism of dye degradation using WO3-containing films was investigated in the presence of scavengers. Significantly higher efficiency of photodecomposition of dyes was achieved for composite films (84% and 86%) in comparison with PANI/Cl (32% and 39%) for methylene blue and methyl orange, respectively.
ABSTRACT
In this work, we report the synthesis of hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 flakes (WO3-x) via an environmentally friendly and facile water-based strategy. This method is described, in the literature, as exfoliation, however, based on the results obtained, we cannot say unequivocally that we have obtained an exfoliated material. Nevertheless, the proposed modification procedure clearly affects the morphology of WO3 and leads to loss of crystallinity of the material. TEM techniques confirmed that the process leads to the formation of WO3 flakes of a few nanometers in thickness. X-ray diffractograms affirmed the poor crystallinity of the flakes, while spectroscopic methods showed that the materials after exfoliation were abundant with the surface groups. The thin film of hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 exhibits a seven times higher specific capacitance (Cs) in an aqueous electrolyte than bulk WO3 and shows an outstanding long-term cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 92% after 1000 chronopotentiometric cycles in the three-electrode system. In the two-electrode system, hydrated WO3-x shows a Cs of 122 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1. The developed supercapacitor shows an energy density of 60 Whkg-1 and power density of 803 Wkg-1 with a decrease of 16% in Csp after 10,000 cycles. On the other hand, WO3-x is characterized by inferior properties as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries compared to bulk WO3. Lithium ions intercalate into a WO3 crystal framework and occupy trigonal cavity sites during the electrochemical polarization. If there is no regular layer structure, as in the case of the hydrated and non-crystalline WO3, the insertion of lithium ions between WO3 layers is not possible. Thus, in the case of a non-aqueous electrolyte, the specific capacity of the hydrated and non-crystalline WO3 electrode material is much lower in comparison with the specific capacity of the bulk WO3-based anode material.
ABSTRACT
The biomass of one type cultivated diatoms (Pseudostaurosira trainorii), being a source of 3D-stuctured biosilica and organic matter-the source of carbon, was thermally processed to become an electroactive material in a potential range adequate to become an anode in lithium ion batteries. Carbonized material was characterized by means of selected solid-state physics techniques (XRD, Raman, TGA). It was shown that the pyrolysis temperature (600 °C, 800 °C, 1000 °C) affected structural and electrochemical properties of the electrode material. Biomass carbonized at 600 °C exhibited the best electrochemical properties reaching a specific discharge capacity of 460 mAh g-1 for the 70th cycle. Such a value indicates the possibility of usage of biosilica as an electrode material in energy storage applications.
ABSTRACT
Herein, we show a composite formation method of tin/tin oxide nanoparticles with graphene oxide and CMC based on laser ablation technique as an electrode material for energy storage devices. The material exhibited a three-dimensional conducting graphene oxide network decorated with tin or tin oxide nanoparticles. The structure, homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles, and direct contact between inorganic and organic parts were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron spectroscopy. Electrochemical performances of composite electrode material showed a reversible capacity of 644 mAh/g at a current density equal to 35 mA/g, and 424 mAh/g at 140 mA/g. The capacity retention of 90% after 250 cycles show that tested electrode material is suitable as a negative electrode for lithium-ion batteries.
ABSTRACT
Composites based on the titania nanotubes were tested in aqueous electrolyte as a potential electrode material for energy storage devices. The nanotubular morphology of TiO2 was obtained by Ti anodization. TiO2 nanotubes were covered by a thin layer of bismuth vanadate using pulsed laser deposition. The formation of the TiO2/BiVO4 junction leads to enhancement of pseudocapacitance in the cathodic potential range. The third component, the conjugated polymer PEDOT:PSS, was electrodeposited from an electrolyte containing the monomer EDOT and NaPSS as a source of counter ions. Each stage of modification and deposition affected the overall capacitance and allowed for an expansion of the potential range of electroactivity. Multiple charge/discharge cycles were performed to characterize the electrochemical stability of the inorganic-organic hybrid electrode. Capacitance values higher than 10 mF·cm-2 were maintained even after 10000 galvanostatic cycles (i c = i a = 0.5 mA·cm-2).
