Facile synthesis of ternary nanocomposite of polypyrrole incorporated with cobalt oxide and silver nanoparticles for high performance supercapattery

Abstract

Ternary nanocomposites of polypyrrole (PPy) incorporated with cobalt oxide nanograin (Co3O4), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal methodology and further utilized in supercapattery as a positive electrode material. The synthesized ternary nanocomposites (Ag/Co3O4@PPy), as well as their counterparts (Co3O4@PPy and PPy), were analyzed by various analytical techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical characterizations such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were performed using standard three electrodes cell system in potassium hydroxide (1 M KOH) electrolyte to evaluate the best performing electrode material. Electrochemical studies revealed that the ternary nanocomposites provided much higher specific capacity, low charge transfer and Warburg resistance compared to Co3O4@PPy and pure PPy. The best performing nanocomposite, (Ag/Co3O4@PPy) was used as a positive electrode material for the fabrication of supercapattery which delivered the highest energy density of 24.79 Wh kg−1 and a corresponding power density of 554.40 W kg−1 at a current density of 0.7 A g−1. Moreover, the supercapattery of ternary nanocomposites showed 153.67% of capacity retention even after 3000 cycles. Hence, the synthesized ternary nanocomposites have significant potential to be used in highly stable supercapattery.