Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical investigation on Nickel Manganese Oxide - Polybutylene Sebacate composite electrode of biodegradable nature for micro capacitor applications

Abstract

Synthesis, characterization, surface morphology and electrochemical properties of non-stochiometric Nickel–Manganese oxide nanoparticles were carried out by urea assisted sol gel method. The Ni1-xMnxO (0.15≤ X ≤ 0.50) nanoparticle synthesized was found to be cubic and the existence of Mn3O4 and MnO2 phases were established and confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) studies. Thermo Gravimetric-Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA) studies provided the calcination temperature of the xerogel at 600 °C, wherein the lattice strain and the size of the nanoparticles were determined through Williamson Hall (WH) Plot. The surface morphology characteristics of these nanoclusters were authenticated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques. Further, electroanalytical techniques were employed as a tool in establishing the nanocomposite as an intriguing material to act as a capacitor at enhanced efficiency compared to that of conventional capacitors. The electrochemical competence of the electrode was established through cyclic voltammogram, (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectral (EIS) studies. The values of capacitance for Ni1-xMnxO, (0.15≤ X ≤ 0.5) nanoparticles varied from 7000 to 8000 mFg−1, measured at 20 mVs−1scan rate in 1.0 M Na2SO4and the temperature dependent conductance property for Ni0.85Mn0.15O electrode verified the Arrhenius Equation. The synthesis of a biodegradable polymer, Poly Butylene Sebacate (PBS) employed as conducting polymer for ultra capacitor applications is comparatively superior and definitely provides an edge over other capacitors in existence which is predominanantly attributed to its biodegradability nature. Further, the specific capacitance of PBS- Ni0.85Mn0.15O composite electrode was found to be 5180 mFg−1 which clearly illustrates that these composites are potential candidates of the type biodegradable supercapacitors that are evolving transient sources of power in the future and the biodegradability of the polymer-metal oxide composite electrode fetches more significance in terms of disposal of electronic and electrical wares.