Double hydroxide mediated synthesis of nanostructured ZnCo2O4 as high performance electrode material for supercapacitor applications

- Double hydroxide mediated synthesis of hexagonal-like ZnCo2O4 electro-active material by hydrothermal method.
- Highest specific capacitance of 845.7 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1.
- Fabrication of ZnCo2O4 electrode with superior electrochemical performances.
- Fabrication of symmetric two electrode supercapacitor with improved properties.

Hexagonal-like ZnCo2O4 nanostructured compound was synthesized using the double hydroxide solution by the facile hydrothermal method. Structural properties of the electro-active materials were studied by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectral analyses. Scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveal the hexagonal-like morphology of the ZnCo2O4 material. The improved electrochemical behavior of the material was ascertained by the cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The modified ZnCo2O4 electrode reveals the highest specific capacitance of 845.7 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in 2 M KOH electrolyte and cyclic stability of 95.3% (capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g−1). The morphology plays a significant role in improving the specific capacitance of the modified electrode material. The symmetrical capacitor was fabricated using ZnCo2O4 electrode by a scalable solution method. The promising electrochemical performance implies that the hexagonal-like nanostructured ZnCo2O4 electrode can be effectively used in supercapacitors.

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