Nanostructured Na-doped vanadium oxide synthesized using an anodic deposition technique for supercapacitor applications

Vanadium-based oxides are prepared on graphite substrates by an anodic deposition technique. The plating bath is 0.2 M VOSO4 solution with NaCH3COO addition. A scanning electron microscope and an X-ray diffractometer are used to characterize the deposits; the analyses indicate that the porous Na-doped V2O5 electrodes with a nano-crystalline nature are obtained. Supercapacitor properties of the oxide electrodes are studied using cyclic voltammetry in KCl aqueous electrolyte. The data show that the deposited oxides can exhibit ideal capacitive behavior over a potential range of 1 V; the optimum specific capacitance is ∼180 F/g. A lower deposition potential leads to a higher porosity of the oxide, resulting in a better high-rate supercapacitor performance of the electrode.

► Na-doped vanadium oxide is successfully prepared by an electrodeposition technique.
► Microstructure and Na content of the oxide are controlled by deposition potential.
► A lower deposition potential leads to a higher porosity of the prepared oxide.
► Na doping significantly increases the oxide capacitance.
► The nanostructured Na-doped oxide shows an ideal supercapacitor performance.