Surfactant-mediated synthesis of bismuth oxide nanostructures as negative electrode for supercapacitors

Abstract

In this study, we report the synthesis of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles with three different surfactants: Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB), Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG), and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and their different properties. In order to study the performance of Bi2O3 based materials as negative electrodes in supercapacitor applications, the electrochemical properties of the three samples were carried out. For the electrodes of bismuth oxide covered with CTAB, PEG, and SDS, the estimated rates of diffusion were determined to be 85.6 × 10− 12 cm² s− 1, 24.4 × 10− 12 cm² s− 1, and 1.2 × 10− 12 cm² s− 1 respectively. The estimated specific capacity values for the samples BOC, BOP and BOS are 549.8 C g–1, 412.7 C g–1 and 84.1 C g–1 at 5 A g–1 respectively. When compared to PEG and SDS assisted samples, the sample that was synthesized using CTAB showed the highest specific capacity. The distinctive extended rod-like morphology of BOC can be reasoned for this drastic improvement in capacity. Furthermore, even at a greater current density of 10 Ag− 1, the CTAB assisted Bi2O3 sample showed remarkable rate performance, keeping 92% of its initial capacitance after 5000 continuous GCD cycles. This finding shows that BOC has good rate and stability properties for prospective high-power supercapacitor applications. Further, asymmetric type two electrode device was fabricated and it exhibits higher energy density of 29 WhKg− 1 with a power density of 3404 Wkg− 1.

Full text

Applied Physics A (2024) 130:474
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-024-07567-8
particular, supercapacitors show promise for high-power
applications [1]. Recently, the possibility of combining bat-
teries and supercapacitors has been investigated in order to
improve the battery performance for high-power demands.
However, research on the negative electrodes for super-
capacitors is sluggish when compared to their positive
counterparts. It is still dicult to improve electrochemical
performance in practical systems without developing eec-
tive negative electrodes [2].
Due to the surface properties like high degree of porosity
and abundance, carbon materials are frequently employed as
negative electrodes for supercapacitors [3]. However, their
low theoretical capacity limits their usage in viable super-
capacitors. Numerous transition metal oxides have been
reported as supercapacitor electrodes while each class has
their own pros and limitations. As there is no dedicated elec-
trode which can t into the all the commercial perspectives,
research community continue to explore dierent materi-
als for the above said application. Exclusively, due to the
high theoretical capacity, a wide range of redox states and
availability of ample sources of raw materials on the earth’s
1 Introduction
Scientic communities are looking for eco-friendly, eco-
nomical, and eective energy conversion and storage
solutions as a result of the crisis and ever-growing need
for energy. Due to their quick charging and discharging,
high power density, and extended shelf life, electrochemi-
cal energy storage devices, such as batteries, supercapaci-
tors, and fuel cells have undergone fast development. In
P. Christopher Selvin
csphysics@buc.edu.in
1 Luminescence and Solid-State Ionics Laboratory, Department
of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, India
2 Department of Physics, Dr. Mahalingam College of
Engineering and Technology, Pollachi 642003, India
3 Department of Chemistry, Dr.Mahalingam College of
Engineering and Technology, Pollachi 642003, India
4 Department of Nanoscience and Technology, Bharathiar
University, Coimbatore 641046, India
Abstract
In this study, we report the synthesis of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles with three dierent surfactants: Cetyl Tri-
methyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB), Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG), and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) and their dier-
ent properties. In order to study the performance of Bi2O3 based materials as negative electrodes in supercapacitor applica-
tions, the electrochemical properties of the three samples were carried out. For the electrodes of bismuth oxide covered
with CTAB, PEG, and SDS, the estimated rates of diusion were determined to be 85.6 × 10− 12 cm2 s− 1, 24.4 × 10− 12 cm2
s− 1, and 1.2 × 10− 12 cm2 s− 1 respectively. The estimated specic capacity values for the samples BOC, BOP and BOS are
549.8 C g–1, 412.7 C g–1 and 84.1 C g–1 at 5 A g–1 respectively. When compared to PEG and SDS assisted samples, the
sample that was synthesized using CTAB showed the highest specic capacity. The distinctive extended rod-like morphol-
ogy of BOC can be reasoned for this drastic improvement in capacity. Furthermore, even at a greater current density of 10
Ag− 1, the CTAB assisted Bi2O3 sample showed remarkable rate performance, keeping 92% of its initial capacitance after
5000 continuous GCD cycles. This nding shows that BOC has good rate and stability properties for prospective high-
power supercapacitor applications. Further, asymmetric type two electrode device was fabricated and it exhibits higher
energy density of 29 WhKg− 1 with a power density of 3404 Wkg− 1.
Keywords Bismuth oxide · Nanostructures · Energy storage · Supercapacitor
Received: 3 November 2023 / Accepted: 21 February 2024 / Published online: 6 June 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024
Surfactant-mediated synthesis of bismuth oxide nanostructures as
negative electrode for supercapacitors
N.Karthikeyan1,2· B.Saravanakumar2· William J.Johnson2· P.A.Periasamy3· PSakthivel4· P. ChristopherSelvin1
1 3
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