Boron-doped cadmium oxide composite structures and their electrochemical measurements

Abstract

Boron-doped and undoped cadmium oxide composite nanostructures in thin film form were prepared onto stainless steel substrates by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method using aqueous solutions of cadmium nitrate, boric acid and 1% H2O2. As-deposited films were annealed at 623K for 1h. The X-ray diffraction study shows crystalline behavior for both doped and undoped films with a porous topography and nano-wires type architecture, as observed in SEM image. Wettability test confirms the hydrophilic surface with 58° contact angle value. Estimated band gap energy is around 1.9eV. Electrochemical behavior of the deposited films is attempted in 1M KOH electrolyte using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. Maximum values of the specific capacitance, specific energy and specific power obtained for 3% B doped CdO film at 2mV/s scan rate are 20.05F/g, 1.22Wh/kg and 3.25kW/kg, respectively.