Electrochemical investigation of hybridized WO3–CdS semiconducting nanostructures prepared by microwave-assisted wet chemical route for supercapacitor application

Abstract

Herein, we are reporting the enhanced electrochemical performance of hybridised WO3–CdS nanocomposites prepared by microwave assisted wet chemical route without post synthesis of heating for different wt% of CdS (2 wt%, 4 wt% and 6 wt%) loading with WO3. Then, the end products were characterized by various techniques to evaluate their structural and morphology, thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties. From the XRD analysis, the orthorhombic and monoclinic structure of WO3 and hexagonal phase of CdS were observed and the average crystalline size is calculated as ± 19 nm. The microscopic examination such as SEM images showed smooth and tiny particle and HRTEM images showed rod shape morphology in the as-prepared particle. The presence of W and Cd elements are confirmed by EDAX analysis. The existences of functional groups related to W and Cd are analyzed by FTIR investigation and confirmed the chemical bonding nature. Thermal (TGA/DTA) analysis showed that as-prepared structures are stable up to 450°C temperature. The electrochemical investigations have been carried out, and their enhanced specific capacitances were calculated as 44 F/g for pure WO3 (a) nanostructures and 48, 170, and 172 F/g correspondingly for the hybridised WO3–CdS (b, c, d) nanocomposites.