Alternative inner filling and outer surface coating of BNNT by Tungsten(VI) oxide for supercapacitor electrode

Abstract

The motivation behind this research is to address the need for advanced energy storage materials by exploring the selective filling and coating of boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) with tungsten(VI) oxide (WO3) to enhance the pseudocapacitive performance. In this study, we present a novel synthesis method that allows precise control over the extent of filling and coating, aiming to create tailored hybrid structures. Morphological and structural analysis confirm the filling and coating of BNNT by WO3. Inner filling and outer surface coating of BNNT by WO3 significantly impact on the electrochemical properties. The filling of WO3 within the BNNT can enhance the stability of the system, whereas outer surface coating of BNNT by WO3 improves the capacitive performances. The role of BNNT influences both these phenomena by acting as electrolyte transportation channel as well as stabilizing the WO3. In three electrode study, WO3 coated BNNT showed the maximum specific capacitance of 856 F/g at 1 A/g. An asymmetric supercapacitor device using WO3 coated BNNT as positive electrode revealed the maximum specific capacitance of 137 F/g at 2 A/g current density with an improved energy density of 52 W h/kg. The WO3 coated BNNT-based asymmetric supercapacitor device also showed ∼81 % specific capacitance retention after the completion of 10,000 GCD cycles, whereas WO3 filled BNNT-based supercapacitor device demonstrated better stability (∼94 % specific capacitance retention) due to the filling and stabilization of pseudocapacitive WO3 by BNNT.