Natural fibers and zinc hydroxystannate 3D microspheres based composite paper sheets for modern bendable energy storage application

Abstract

AbstractFor modern high‐tech flexible energy storage devices, it becomes important to synthesize micro‐/nanostructures as per the required shape and morphology with superior physical and electro‐active characteristics. This work shares the fabrication and characterization of ZnSn(OH)6 (Zinc hydroxystannate [ZHS]) prepared by facile microwave‐assisted technique and furthermore converted into flexible sheets by employing lignocelluloses (LC) known as natural fibers, collected from Carica papaya leaf petiole as a substrate to provide the flexible matrix. X‐ray diffraction measurements confirm the successful crystalline structure of ZHS. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed the solid spherical structure of ZHS microspheres. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the composite formation of ZHS and LC‐based composite sheets (ZHS/LC sheets). Electrochemical measurements that is, cyclic voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy revealed the electroactive behavior of ZHS/LC paper sheets as working electrode for energy storage applications. CV measurements revealed the specific capacitance of 100 F/g and EIS measurements confirmed the decrease in the resistance of LC fiber after the growth of ZHS microspheres. Presented flexible ZHS based paper sheets will be highly feasible for the modern bendable/flexible/disposable energy storage applications.