Active Electrode Research Articles

ZnMnCoS/rGO nanocomposite for an effective bifunctional electrode for overall water splitting and supercapacitor applications

Abstract Future energy storage and energy conversion devices will benefit from the development of active electrode materials that serve as both an electrocatalysts and an energy storage device. Recently, mixed metal sulfides are cheaper and have improved electrical and electrochemical performance than their oxide/hydroxide similarly has garnered a lot of interest for use in energy storage and electro catalysis applications. In this, mixed metal sulfides, as zinc manganese cobalt sulfide (ZMCS) and reduced graphene oxide composite zinc manganese cobalt sulfide (rZMCS) were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal route for overall water splitting and supercapacitor. The prepared materials are characterized through x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope with elemental mapping and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The ZMCS and rZMCS electrodes exhibit an over-potential of 258 and 170 mV for HER and 302 and 230 mV for OER at a density of current is 10 mA cm2 in 3 M KOH. Overall water splitting is carried out for rZMCS electrodes and it shows the long-term stability of 15 hrs. The specific capacitances of ZMCS and rZMCS electrodes are 1065 F g1 and 1167 F g1 at 1 A g1. The obtained electrode could maintain 96 % and 98 % until 5000 cycles. Asymmetric supercapacitor device rZMCS//rGO delivers a total amount of energy and power is 47.6 Wh kg1 and 925 W kg1 with could maintain 86 % upto 10000 cycles. The outcomes draw attention to the produced electrode able to be practical as a multifunctional electrode for energy storage and conversion devices.

Two-Dimensional Porphyrin-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks/g-C3N4 Composites as High-Performance Supercapacitor.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with high porosity and redox-active properties have been advanced as electrode materials for energy storage systems, although poor electron conductivity and inaccessibility of active pore sites hinder their performance as electrode material for supercapacitor application. Thus, incorporation of a COF with various conductive materials can be an effective strategy to improve their electrochemical performances for supercapacitors. Herein, we report the synthesis of POR-COF@g-C3N4 composites by fabricating a porphyrin-based COF on g-C3N4 via in situ solvothermal conditions. A series of COF composites, known as POR-COF@g-C3N4-X, were prepared by incorporating different ratios of COF (X = 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) into g-C3N4 and investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitor performance. The optimized COF composite (POR-COF@g-C3N4-30) achieved a specific capacitance of 788 F g-1 at 4 A g-1, much higher compared to pristine COF. Further, the asymmetric device assembled using POR-COF@g-C3N4-30 demonstrated a high energy density of 24.4 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 1152 W kg-1 and a long-term cycling life of 74% capacity retention after 6000 cycles. Our work highlights the scope of COF-based composites as active electrode materials for highly efficient supercapacitor performance.

Bilayer Boost to UV Assisted Supercapacitors: Enhanced Performance with Transparent TiO2/MoO3 Heterojunction Electrode

AbstractPhoto‐assisted supercapacitor is a promising smart device component for achieving both energy conversion and storage. The photo‐assisted functionality in a supercapacitor is realized through the choice of photo responsive electrode material under suitable illumination conditions. The well‐known electrochemically active electrode materials are wide band gap semiconductors which absorb strongly in UV light. However, most of the prior studies on photo‐assisted supercapacitors used visible light. Herein, we present a transparent TiO2/MoO3 bi‐layer heterojunction made by simple solution process as an efficient electrode for photo‐assisted supercapacitors under UV light illumination. The electrochemical performance of the electrode is significantly enhanced even with a less intense (0.05 mW/cm2) UV light, compared to dark as well as the single layer electrode under same illumination condition. The highest areal capacitance of 63.25 mF/cm2 at 0.1 mA/cm2 is achieved, that surpasses most of the recent relevant reports. The synergetic effect of UV illumination and the built‐in potential at the type II heterojunction interface encourages ion insertion and better collection of the photo‐generated carriers. The unique bi‐layer design also leads to better rate capability features. Thus, the work presents a new prospect for the development of transparent energy storage devices to be used in future smart technologies.

Corticospinal excitability and voluntary activation of the quadriceps muscle is not affected by a single session of anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation in healthy, young adults.

The aim of the present study was to determine if anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) affects corticospinal excitability (CSE) and voluntary activation (VA) of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QM). This was a double-blind, randomized study in which spine-shoulder anodal tsDCS (active electrode centered over T11-12, 2.5mA, 20 min) was applied in a seated position. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure motor evoked potentials (MEP) and construct stimulus-response curves in healthy participants (eight females and five males, Experiment 1). VA was measured via the interpolated twitch technique, whereby muscle twitches were evoked using electrical femoral nerve stimulation and TMS (seven females and six males, Experiment 2). Measurements were carried out before, directly, and 30 min after sham and anodal tsDCS (with ≥4days between sessions). There was no interaction between stimulation × time on stimulus-response curve expressed by slope, stimulus intensity corresponding to 50% of the maximal MEP, and peak-to-peak amplitude of the maximal MEP. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque did not change and VA was not affected regardless of the QM torque level (25, 50, or 100% of MVIC). A single, twenty-minute session of spine-shoulder anodal tsDCS did not increase CSE and VA of QM during submaximal and maximal contraction. This suggests that neither excitability to a known input nor responsiveness of motoneurons to submaximal and maximal cortical drive were affected by anodal tsDCS.

Investigation of resistive switching behavior driven by active and passive electrodes in MoO2–MoS2 core shell nanowire memristors

Memristive devices based on layered materials have the potential to enable low power electronics with ultra-fast operations toward the development of next generation memory and computing technologies. Memristor performance and switching behavior crucially depend on the switching matrix and on the type of electrodes used. In this work, we investigate the effect of different electrodes in 1D MoO2–MoS2 core shell nanowire memristors by highlighting their role in achieving distinct switching behavior. Analog and digital resistive switching are realized with carbon based passive (multi-layer graphene and multiwall carbon nanotube) and 3D active metal (silver and nickel) electrodes, respectively. Temperature dependent electrical transport studies of the conducting filament down to cryogenic temperatures reveal its semiconducting and metallic nature for passive and active top electrodes, respectively. These investigations shed light on the physics of the filament formation and provide a knob to design and develop the memristors with specific switching characteristics for desired end uses.

Joint anatomical, histological and imaging investigation of the midbrain target region for superolateral medial forebrain bundle (slMFB) DBS.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the superolateral branch of the medial forebrain bundle (slMFB) is currently being researched in clinical trials and open case series as a therapeutic option for treatment resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD) and treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TR-OCD). There are numerous publications describing stimulation in such proximity to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and open questions remain concerning the stimulation target and its functional environment. As of right now, we are not aware of any publications that compare the typical electrode placements with the histologically supported tractographic depiction of the target structure. We used three cadaver midbrain samples with presumed unaltered anatomy. After fixation, staining and slicing, the histological samples were warped to the MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute) big brain environment. Utilizing a tractographic atlas, a qualitative analysis of the typical slMFB stimulation site in the lateral VTA utilizing a subset of clinically implanted DBS electrodes in n=12 patients, successfully implanted for TR-OCD was performed. A joint qualitative overlay analysis of predominantly tyrosine-hydroxylase stained histology at different resolutions in an anatomical common space was achieved. Localization of the DBS-lead bodies was found in the typical positions in front of the red nuclei in the lateral VTA. DBS lead tip region positions explained the oculomotor side effects of stimulation related to para-nigral or parabrachial pigmented sub-nuclei of the VTA, respectively. The location of active electrode contacts suggest downstream and antidromic effects on the greater VTA related medial forebrain bundle system. This is the first dedicated joint histopathological overlay analysis of DBS electrodes targeting the slMFB and lateral VTA in a common anatomical space. This analysis might serve to better understand the DBS target region for this procedure.

Stimuli-Triggered Diffusion Dynamics in Single-Junction Electrode for Enhanced Supercapacitor Performance: Insights into the Carrier Relaxation and Charge Transfer Kinetics.

Study of external triggers add new chemistry to energy storage research by virtue of controlling diffusion and charge transfer dynamics. Herein, we have chosen a model system, Ag2S-BiVO4 (Ag2S-BVO), for examining the diffusion dynamics upon light illumination using electrochemical and carrier relaxation studies. Favorable band alignments in the single-junction electrode lead to optimized carrier movement across the interfaces, developing a partial positive charge on the electrode, thereby enhancing the mass-transport of electrolyte ions toward the active electrode for efficient charge storage. Synergistic coupling across the heterojunction provides a high areal capacity of 338 mF cm-2 at 0.5 mA cm-2 under light illumination by facilitating the dominant diffusion characteristics within system. In addition, the Ag2S-BVO-based asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits an areal energy density of 32 mWh cm-2 @ 700 mW cm-2 under illumination. This study provides a strategy to tune the capacitive and diffusion contributions for high-performance light-sensitive supercapacitor devices.

Electrode Location and Domain-Specific Cognitive Change Following Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms. DBS is also associated with postoperative cognitive change in some patients. Previous studies found associations between medial active electrode contacts and overall cognitive decline. Our current aim is to determine the relationship between active electrode contact location and domain-specific cognitive changes. A single-institution retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with PD who underwent subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS from August 05, 2010, to February 22, 2021, and received preoperative and postoperative neuropsychological testing. Standardized norm-referenced test z-scores were categorized into attention, executive function, language, verbal memory, and visuospatial domains. SD change scores were averaged to create domain-specific change scores. We identified anterior commissure/posterior commissure coordinates of active electrode contacts in atlas space. We evaluated differences in active electrode contact location between patients with a domain score decrease of at least 1 SD and less than 1 SD. We performed multiple variable linear regression controlling for age, sex, education, time from surgery to postoperative neuropsychological testing (follow-up duration), disease duration, preoperative unified Parkinson's disease rating scale off medication scores, and preoperative memory scores to determine the relationship between active electrode contact location and domain change. A total of 83 patients (male: n = 60, 72.3%) were included with a mean age of 63.6 ± 8.3 years, median disease duration of 9.0 [6.0, 11.5] years, and median follow-up duration of 8.0 [7.0, 11.0] months. More superior active electrode contact location in the left STN (P = .002) and higher preoperative memory scores (P < .0001) were associated with worsening memory. Active electrode contact location was not associated with change in other domains. In patients with PD who underwent STN DBS, we found an association between superior active electrode contacts in the left STN and verbal memory decline. Our study increases understanding of factors associated with cognitive change after DBS and may help inform postoperative programming.

Increasing capacitive desalination stability of active carbon by forming methanol layer on its surface

Capacitive deionization (CDI) based on active carbon is a promising technology for desalinating brackish water, but its desalination performance usually decreases after multiple adsorption/desorption cycles, which seriously hinders its practical application. To explore a solution method, study was conducted on regulating cyclic stability of active carbon electrode by utilizing methanol in NaCl solution. When the methanol content of the solution was 2 vol%, the active carbon electrode displayed 82% desalination capacity retention after the 12th cycle, which was 64% higher than the value reached when the methanol content was 0 vol%. This enhancement in stability was due to the formation of protective methanol layer on electrode surface, which retarded contact of carbon with water and thus oxidation of positive electrode. To put this finding into use, methanol was employed to improve stability of flowing electrode of a flowing CDI (FCDI) device, which does not need continuous addition of methanol into NaCl solution. The capacity retention of the flowing electrode after the 9th cycle was also markedly increased (94%＞80%) by methanol. This study provided a new route for improving cyclic stability of active carbons, which was suitable for application in FCDI.

Sulfonate-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework as a Porous "Proton Reservoir" for Boosting Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia.

The electrochemical reduction reaction of nitrate (NO3RR) is an attractive route to produce ammonia at ambient conditions, but the conversion from nitrate to ammonia, which requires nine protons, has to compete with both the two-proton process of nitrite formation and the hydrogen evolution reaction. Extensive research efforts have thus been made in recent studies to develop electrocatalysts for the NO3RR facilitating the production of ammonia. Rather than designing another better electrocatalyst, herein, we synthesize an electrochemically inactive, porous, and chemically robust zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with enriched intraframework sulfonate groups, SO3-MOF-808, as a coating deposited on top of the catalytically active copper-based electrode. Although both the overall reaction rate and electrochemically active surface area of the electrode are barely affected by the MOF coating, with negatively charged sulfonate groups capable of enriching more protons near the electrode surface, the MOF coating significantly promotes the selectivity of the NO3RR toward the production of ammonia. In contrast, the use of MOF coating with positively charged trimethylammonium groups to repulse protons strongly facilitates the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, with selectivity of more than 90% at all potentials. Under the optimal operating conditions, the copper electrocatalyst with SO3-MOF-808 coating can achieve a Faradaic efficiency of 87.5% for ammonia production, a nitrate-to-ammonia selectivity of 95.6%, and an ammonia production rate of 97 μmol/cm2 h, outperforming all of those achieved by both the pristine copper (75.0%; 93.9%; 87 μmol/cm2 h) and copper with optimized Nafion coating (83.3%; 86.9%; 64 μmol/cm2 h). Findings here suggest the function of MOF as an advanced alternative to the commercially available Nafion to enrich protons near the surface of electrocatalyst for NO3RR, and shed light on the potential of utilizing such electrochemically inactive MOF coatings in a range of proton-coupled electrocatalytic reactions.

Facile synthesis and first principles calculations of Li-MoS2/rGO nanocomposite for high-performance supercapacitor applications

Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructured materials such as graphene oxide nanosheets and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are potential candidates for electrochemical energy storage applications. The layered structure of MoS2 makes it a promising active electrode material for supercapacitors. Lithium (Li) interacted with MoS2/reduced graphene oxide (Li-MoS2/rGO) nanocomposite has been synthesized in two steps using a sonochemical dispersion method, and a one-pot hydrothermal method resulting in few-layered MoS2/rGO nanosheets of 2D heterointerfaces. The Li-MoS2/rGO nanocomposite exhibits a high specific capacitance of 173.3 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor device fabricated with Li-MoS2/rGO achieves a good energy density of 10.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 686.3 W kg−1 and outstanding cycling stability with 81.2 % capacity retention over 10,000 cycles. The dispersion of 2D-MoS2 in water is due to the strong electrostatic interface. The structural and electronic properties are theoretically calculated for pristine and Li-interacted MoS2/rGO heterostructure using density functional theory. A comparison of the density of states plots of the two heterostructures and the difference charge density plot of Li-MoS2/rGO heterostructure clearly brings out the importance of the presence of Li. A value of 64 μF cm−2 for the quantum capacitance for pristine MoS2/graphene heterostructure increases to a value 99 μF cm−2 corroborating the experimental observations and we assign this change to the transfer of charge from the Li atom to the outer S atoms in the MoS2/graphene heterostructure. This comprehensive approach, combining experimental synthesis with computational modelling, significantly advances the development and optimization of high-performance supercapacitor materials in the energy storage field. The Li-MoS2/rGO nanocomposite has excellent electrochemical specific capacitance and long-term cyclic stability and has been effectively used for supercapacitor applications with high electrochemical performance.

Cauliflower-like CoNi2S4 microspheres derived from bimetallic hydroxides as highly active electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors

Cauliflower-like CoNi2S4 microspheres derived from bimetallic hydroxides as highly active electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors

An active and durable perovskite electrode with reversibly phase transition-induced exsolution for protonic ceramic cells

Protonic ceramic cells (PCCs) possess great application potential, attributed to their cleanliness and high energy conversion efficiency. However, designing active air electrodes with both high stability is challenging. Herein, we report a nanospinel-modified perovskite oxide, Nd0.5Ba0.5Mn0.7Co0.15Ni0.15O3−δ-(CoxNiy)3O4 (CNO@NBMCN), obtained by a reversibly phase transition-induced exsolution process, as a highly active and durable air electrode for PCCs. Phase-field simulations reveal the intrinsic mechanism of nanoparticles strongly pinning to the substrate in a high-temperature oxidizing environment. The CNO@NBMCN electrode exhibits remarkable low area specific resistance (0.38 Ω cm2 at 600 °C) and exceptional stability (degradation rate 0.01 % h−1). It is confirmed by soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy that the construction of the heterostructure leads to more distortion in Mn–O octahedra and weaker metal–oxygen bonds, thereby contributing to the formation of oxygen vacancies. And the exceptionally high durability supported by both fast ion surface exchange and charge transfer at triple-phase boundaries. A single cell with the CNO@NBMCN air electrode achieves outstanding performances in the fuel cell (peak power density of 1.28 W cm−2) and electrolysis modes (current density of −2.14 A cm−2 at 1.3 V), recorded at 700 °C. This work inspires innovative design concepts for robust heterogeneous electrocatalysts.

Heterostructured GCN Nanosheets/ZnO nanoflowers for enhanced TMO loading: From high-performance three electrode systems to printed flexible asymmetric supercapacitors

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are widely used in the development of high-energy-density devices due to their multiple oxidation states and their frequent heterostructuring with carbon-based materials. However, the synthesis process often leads to severe nanoparticle agglomeration and weak synergistic effects with carbon-based templates, thereby limiting their application potential. In this study, we constructed graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) nanosheets/ZnO nanoflowers (NFs) structures with high TMOs loading by utilizing GCN nanosheets, which are rich in surface nitrogen content, as enriched templates for metal ions in conjunction with ultrasonic cavitation. Compared with GCN nanosheets/ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), the ZnO NFs exhibited vertical growth and a fluffy structure on a 2D material template, which resulted in high electronic conductivity, a large effective surface area, hierarchical pores, and strong synergistic interactions with GCNs, thus improving electrochemical performance. This structural enhancement enabled the GCN/ZnO NFs electrodes to achieve a high specific capacitance of 1524F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in a three-electrode supercapacitor system. Additionally, we formulated GCN/ZnO NFs into electronic inks and used them for the mass production of flexible supercapacitors with the aid of dispensing printing technology. These flexible supercapacitors retained 94% of their specific capacitance even under extreme conditions of 90° torsion. Our proposed strategy of modulating TMOs and 2D structures can create active electrode materials with higher loading capacities, thereby enabling comprehensive customization in material design and device preparation processes.

Experimental investigation on the performance of a two-stage electrostatic precipitation at corona discharge

In this paper, our attention has been focused on the effect of the presence of dust particles on the characteristics of the corona discharge in an ESP electrostatic precipitator in wires to plate configuration. Different parameters are taken into account, in particular the influence of the polarity, of the source of continuous electric excitation, the number of active electrodes and the dimensions of the particles of the dust. The dust used is recovered in the chimney of a cement plant is sieved to have different particle sizes 80,250 and 500μm. Dust particles pass through the inter-electrode space. By corona effect, there will be an ionization of the gas around the wire, and creation of ions and electrons. The latter bombard the dust that is charged with electricity and are then attracted to the surface of the plates under the effect of the electric field. Dust is deposited on the plate electrodes. A model in the laboratory was used for the measurement of the discharge current and to plot the I-V characteristic as a function of the number of active electrodes in absence and in the presence of different dimensions of the particles of the dust particles.

Impressive electrochemical characteristics of freeze-dried nanosheet structured Mn2P2O7 for affordable electrochemical capacitor

The electrochemical capacitive performance of supercapacitors (SCs) is mainly evaluated by active electrode material, which plays a critical participation. At present, transitional metallic pyrophosphates (TMPs) have grabbed more interest as active electrodes in SC configuration. In this work scenario, we informed a novel strategic synthesis route for constructing Mn2P2O7 (MP) through an ultrasonic probe-assisted chemical reaction approach. The electrode in the form of a monoclinic, freeze-dried nanosheet structure characterized by XRD, FESEM- TEM, and its signature chemical bonds and chemical composition were confirmed via FTIR and EDS analysis, respectively. As prepared active sample was successfully sent into electrochemical investigation tools such as Cyclic Voltagrams (CV), Galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), electrochemical impedance analysis (EIS), and Cycling life span (stability) using three and two-electrode set-up. These tests indicate that the active sample holds an impressive capacitive value of 558 F/g at scanning range of 2 mV/s, a specific capacity of 420 C/g at 1 A g-1, magnificent rate capability, 90 % retention over 10,000 successive voltammograms in three-electrode measurements. Additionally, the fabricated symmetric supercapacitor device shows superior energy density, power density, and good rate capability in two electrode investigations. The mentioned prominent results reflect that engineered MP and its characteristics are the efficient fruits in manufacturing affordable electrochemical capacitors.

Ionic wind produced by volume corona discharges and surface dielectric barrier discharges: What role do streamers play?

The present study compares the ionic wind produced by volume DC and AC corona discharges, and by surface dielectric barrier discharges (DBD). On the one hand, in the case of a volume corona discharge ignited between a high-voltage needle and a grounded plate, our measurements highlight that the ionic wind velocity increases in the presence of positive breakdown streamers. On the other hand, in the case of a surface AC DBD, the ionic wind velocity decreases when streamers occur. Why such a difference? The answer is not easy and the debate remains open. However, one answer would be that the streamers occurring in a volume needle-to-plate discharge leave an abundance of positive ions in the inter-electrode space and that these ions drift because of the electric field, just after the streamer propagation. On the other hand, in the case of a surface DBD, the streamers can leave positive ions in their wake but their heads especially deposit positive ions at the location where they stop propagating, i.e. a few millimetres from the electrode (up to about 10–15 mm). Then this positive space charge deposited at a few millimetres from the active electrode edge on the dielectric surface acts as a screen against the electric field due to the applied high voltage, thus preventing the drift of the ions remaining on the surface of the dielectric, close to the electrode edge. Having said that, the reality is that this explanation is certainly very simplistic compared with the very complex phenomena taking place in these two discharges, particularly at the times when the streamers form and propagate.

Scalp surface Laplacian potential monitoring system based on novel hydrogel active tri-polar concentric ring electrodes

Electroencephalography is valued in brain research for its high temporal resolution and user-friendly nature. However, limitations in spatial resolution and susceptibility to biological artifacts restrict its broader application. The surface Laplacian potential obtained through tri-polar concentric ring electrodes offers a solution by mitigating biological artifact interference and enhancing spatial resolution while preserving essential information. In this study, an active tri-polar concentric ring electrode based on conductive hydrogel and a 3-lead surface Laplacian potential monitoring system designed for use with the electrode were proposed. The part of the electrode that came into contact with the human body was the hydrogel with high electrical conductivity. The contact surface curvature was designed based on the real forehead curvature of 22 subjects, resulting in a normalized electrode-skin contact impedance of 30.95±16.76KΩ*cm2 at 10 Hz, which was lower than commercial disposable wet electrodes and remained stable over a 10-hour period of long-term wear. And the electrode still exhibited excellent performance after being left for 20 days. Additionally, the internal noise of the system was about 1.9μV, which was comparable to that of the FDA-approved equipment. The signal analysis results demonstrated that the surface Laplacian potential collected by the proposed electrode and system had better signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, and had a good suppression effect on biological artifacts.

Three‐Dimensional VTe2/MXene/CNT Ternary Architectures for the Development of High Performance Microsupercapacitors

AbstractRapid advancements in portable electronics have created a demand for ultrathin power sources. Microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are becoming a competitive and advantageous option for these applications. It is widely recognized that to develop MSCs with exceptional performance, electrode materials having two‐dimensonal (2D) permeable channels, structural scaffolds with high‐conductivity and large surface area are suitable. Vanadium ditelluride (VTe2) stands out as an ideal material platform in this context. Its unique combination of metallic properties and exfoliative characteristics‐stemming from the conducting Te–V–Te layers held together by weak van der Waals interlayer interactions‐ renders it highly promising for high‐performance MSCs. This study is the first to report that the restacking issues and electrochemical performance of VTe2 can be successfully avoided by the simultaneous incorporation of MXene and CNT to form a ternary hybrid. Here, a laser‐induced graphene (LIG)‐based MSC utilizing VTe2/MXene/CNT as the active electrode material is fabricated. This MSC achieve fabrications an outstanding maximum energy density of 6.84 µWh cm−2 and a power density of 304.7 µW cm−2. This significant achievement demonstrates the potential of this LIG‐based MSC to advance the design of high‐performance micro‐energy storage devices.

Redox-mediated synthesis of Cu2O/CuO/Mn3O4/C quaternary nanocomposites as an efficient electrode material for oxygen reduction reaction and supercapacitor application

Earth-abundant transition metal oxides (TMOs) hold significant promise as electroactive materials in various electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications, offering economic and environmental advantages over their less abundant counterparts. In this work, a simple and cost-effective redox-mediated reaction strategy under hydrothermal conditions has been adopted to synthesize the quaternary nanocomposites Cu2O/CuO/Mn3O4/C with variable amounts of carbon. The synthesized nanocomposites have been characterized using various analysis techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The synthesized COM5 nanocomposite (Cu2O/CuO/Mn3O4/C-50), when used as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), demonstrates a good limiting current density (JL), half-wave potential (E1/2), and onset potential (Eonset) of −5.50 mA/cm2, 0.75 V, and 0.95 V, respectively, as per the polarization curve. The COM5 nanocomposite exhibits a four-electron transfer mechanism, calculated using the Koutecky-Levich (K-L) equation. In an O2-saturated 0.1M KOH solution, the COM5 nanocomposite has shown a superior relative current durability of 84.46% over 14,000 s compared to the commercially available 10 wt% Pt/C, indicating its potential application in the ORR. However, for supercapacitor applications, the COM3 nanocomposite (Cu2O/CuO/Mn3O4/C-20) as active electrode material in galvanic charge-discharge (GCD) study shows superior performance (201 F/g at 1 A/g) compared to the COM2 nanocomposite (117 F/g at 1 A/g) in neutral aqueous electrolyte, possibly due to the lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 24.04 Ω compared to COM2 (34.63 Ω). In two-electrode studies, the COM3 nanocomposite exhibits a good energy density of 24.19 Wh/kg at 1 A/g and a 4.7 kW/kg power density at 5 A/g. Additionally, the COM3 nanocomposite shows excellent long-term durability (74% capacitance retention) at the current density of 5 A/g for 8000 cycles. The electrochemical findings indicate that the COM3 nanocomposite stands out as a superior electrode material for supercapacitors, while the COM5 nanocomposite proves to be an effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction.