Low cost, eco-friendly layered Li1.2(Mn0.32Ni0.32Fe0.16)O2 nanoparticles for hybrid supercapacitor applications

Li1.2(Mn0.32Ni0.32Fe0.16)O2 (LMNFO) nanoparticles with and without a chelating agent (adipic acid) were synthesized by sol-gel method. The supercapacitive behaviors of the synthesized materials as a cathode are evaluated with activated carbon (AC) as the anode in a hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) configuration utilizing a non-aqueous electrolyte. The structural, morphological and electrochemical features of the prepared materials are investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge studies, respectively. The results demonstrated that the LMNFO nanoparticles prepared with the chelating agent, adipic acid (AA), delivered an enhanced specific discharge capacitance (86 F g−1) and better cycling stability than the native compound. The CV studies also revealed the same conclusions, based on the stronger current response observed during various scan rates between 0 and 3 V. Moreover, the AA-LMNFO/AC cell delivered maximum energy and power densities of 36 Wh kg−1 and 1.67 W kg−1, respectively, with a columbic efficiency of over 99% and excellent rate performance.